If the Apple Watch is too geeky and a typical fitness tracker doesn't do enough for your overall health and well-being, the GoBe 2 ($169) from Healbe may be of interest. They sent me their "Smart Life Band" which is something inbetween a smartwatch and a fitness tracker. The GoBe 2 measures (or recommends) calorie intake, energy balance, sleep quality, emotional states, water balance, burned calories, heart rate, stress level, steps, and distance. In short, it addresses all or most of the health benefits of a smartwatch, and perhaps more, but without the excess capabilities many fitness users wouldn't bother with.
Smartwatches & Fitness Trackers
How to Use Your Apple Watch as a Walkie-Talkie
By Hallei Halter
I didn't use walkie-talkies much as a kid, but now with this feature on Apple Watch I can indulge in a slightly more futuristic way. Here's a general overview on how to use Walkie-Talkie on Apple Watch. To use Walkie-Talkie, you'll need Apple Watch series 1 or later updated to watchOS 5.
How to Set Up & Use the ECG Feature on Your Apple Watch
By Hallei Halter
The new Apple Watch ECG app works with your Apple Watch Series 4 to read your heart's rhythm and detect any irregularities that might indicate atrial fibrillation (AFib), while letting you take note of any additional symptoms you want to record. To use the ECG app, your Apple Watch Series 4 with watchOS 5.1.2 or later needs to be paired with iPhone 5s or later with iOS 12.1.1 or later. Older Apple Watches do not have this feature.
Our iPhone Life editors just returned from the tech circus that is CES where they discovered the most innovative and useful iOS gear you can buy in 2019. Watch this video to see CEO David Averbach and Editor in Chief Donna Cleveland round up the 26 best tech accessories they found this year for your iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch.
How to Easily Access Music While Working Out on Apple Watch
By Conner Carey
WatchOS 4 was probably the best Apple Watch software update we’d ever seen, especially for those who workout with their Apple Watch. In this update, not only did Apple add new workouts like HIIT, it also added the ability to quickly and easily swipe over to music from within the Workout app on Apple Watch. Now you don’t need to change apps and fumble around mid workout just to change the song. Here’s how to easily access music while working out with your Apple Watch.
How to View Your Weekly Activity Summary on Apple Watch
By Conner Carey
The Apple Watch is an incredible tool for keeping track of your physical activity throughout the week. The Activity rings show at a glance how close you are to meeting your goals on a given day. Each week, you receive a notification showing your weekly activity summary, but then it goes away. What if you want to look at it again later or check your progress midweek? Here’s how to view your weekly activity summary at any time on your Apple Watch.
How to Automatically Reopen an App on Your Apple Watch
By Conner Carey
By default, when you raise your wrist, the Apple Watch screen wakes up. Also by default, it shows you the Watch Face, assuming you want to see the time and have access to complications. But perhaps you’d rather see the most recent app or activity you were using instead. You can change the setting for Wake Screen from Watch Face to Last Activity. Here’s how to automatically reopen an app on your Apple Watch.
How to Turn Off Breathe Reminders on Apple Watch with WatchOS 3
By Conner Carey
With the introduction of WatchOS 3 came Breathe, a feature on Apple Watch that’s similar to Stand in that it reminds you to breathe throughout the day. Obviously we don’t need to be reminded to breathe, but the feature is about putting your focus on your breath, stopping everything else you’re doing, and taking a minute (or more) to practice a little mindfulness using breath as the centering point. On days I’m stressed, I appreciate the reminders. But most of the time, I dismiss it. If you’d rather not receive reminders to breathe throughout your day, here’s how to turn off Breathe reminders on Apple Watch with WatchOS 3.
How to Create a Kaleidoscope Apple Watch Face on iPhone
By Conner Carey
WatchOS 4 for Apple Watch added a lot of quality features to the smartwatch, including new watch faces. My personal favorite addition is the new Kaleidoscope watch face that uses either a built-in photo or a photo of your choice to create a colorful image in one of three different styles. We’ll go over how to use the Kaleidoscope watch face and how to create your own Kaleidoscope Apple Watch face on iPhone.
Apple Announcement: Should You Buy a New iPhone & Apple Watch?
By Sarah Kingsbury
In the 92nd episode of the iPhone Life Podcast, Sarah and Donna weigh the strengths and weaknesses of each of Apple's new smartphones: the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR. They'll also discuss how the Series 4 is making the Apple Watch an invaluable medical device.
How to Watch Apple’s New iPhone Announcement on September 12
By Sarah Kingsbury
Apple will hold its fall keynote event and officially release it new iPhones on Wednesday, September 12, at the newly constructed Steve Jobs Theater in Cupertino. You can easily watch the event on your device or Apple TV—we'll tell you how below. At the September event, we're certain the new iPhones (maybe three iPhones!) will debut. Beyond that, we may see the new Apple Watch 4 and a new iPad Pro. Rumors have been flying about new AirPods and possibly StudioPods, so tune in and follow our coverage to stay up to date. We'll be offering commentary during the event in our Facebook group and a live podcast right after. Here’s how you can watch Apple's iPhone September 12 keynote event too.
How to Change Your Voicemail Message on iPhone
By Sarah Kingsbury
Need iPad and iPhone help? Sign up for iPhone Life Insider and Sarah will help you with all your iPhone troubleshooting and iOS-related issues. To learn more go to iPhoneLife.com/Insider. In this Hey Sarah column, one Insider wants to know how to change the default greeting on their iPhone's voicemail. Other questions include how to view more than the current month on Apple Watch and how to sort notes in the Notes app alphabetically.
Apple Watch Series 4: Rumors, Release Date & Features
By Leanne Hays
Since WWDC 2018, we've been eagerly awaiting the release of WatchOS 5 this September. Now that Apple has confirmed the official date for the September announcement (that's the 12th of September for those of you keeping score) we're more excited than ever to dive into the rumors surrounding the Apple Watch. What might the new design feature, and what do we already know about WatchOS 5? Read on to dig into all the rumors leading up to the big announcement.
Review: Octopus Smartwatch for Kids
By Todd Bernhard
If your kids are like mine, they are always asking for an Apple Watch of their own. However, an Apple Watch is expensive and fragile and requires charging daily. Consider the Octopus Watch ($69.99) from Joy instead. This kid-sized watch isn't just more affordable, it actually has features specifically for kids.
The Ultimate Buyer’s Guide: 46 Tech Gifts You May Decide to Keep for Yourself
By iPhone Life Team
With the tech market saturated with so many gadgets, how can you know what’s worth your time and money? At iPhone Life, we know a good product when we see one. After testing out stacks of protective iPhone cases, Bluetooth wireless headphones, rugged Bluetooth speakers, iPhone and Apple Watch chargers, and more year-round, we can appreciate the difference when a company goes the extra mile to make an iPhone or iPad accessory that works seamlessly and is a pleasure to use. This holiday season, we’ve compiled our very favorite 47 tech gifts that we know anyone on your list is going to love.
Apple Watch Series 3: What We Love & Hate after 2 Months with the New Watch
By Sarah Kingsbury
In the 72nd episode, iPhone Life COO Noah Siemsen joins the team to discuss the pros and cons of life with the new Apple Watch Series 3, including whether cellular service is worth it and what the teams loves (and doesn't love) about Apple's newest wearable.
Where & How to Watch Stranger Things (Season 2) Online or on Apple TV
By Anjerika Wilmer
Stranger Things was a surprise hit upon its release on Netflix in July 2016. This 1980s-inspired science fiction-horror series featured eight episodes last year, and returns with nine episodes on October 27. Stranger Things Season 2 will be available exclusively on Netflix, which means you need to be subscribed to Netflix. With a Netflix subscription you’ll be able to watch Stranger Things Season 2 online through your iPhone, iPad, Macbook, or other app-enabled device. You can also stream the show through your Apple TV or smart TV when Season 2 premiers on October 27.
Should You Buy the Apple Watch Series 3 with Cellular?
By Sarah Kingsbury
Early reviews of the cellular Apple Watch Series 3 uncover issues connecting to LTE when in range of Wi-Fi networks. In the 68th episode, the iPhone Life team weighs in on the significance of this problem. Sarah, David, and Donna also discuss who should buy which of the three smartwatches Apple now offers.
Apple’s New Product Lineup—and Why It Matters
By Donna Schill
Under Tim Cook’s leadership, Apple has maintained a deep sense of reverence for its late CEO Steve Jobs. Yet never has an Apple event paid as much tribute to Jobs as during this fall’s tenth-anniversary iPhone release, which took place a decade after Jobs revealed the original “one more thing.” The event took place in the Steve Jobs Theater located in the heart of Apple Park, the company’s new Cupertino, California-based campus whose design Jobs masterminded during the last years of his life. As Cook opened the fall keynote, he showed uncharacteristic emotion as he said, “Steve’s spirit and timeless philosophy on life will always be the DNA of Apple.”
The Apple Watch Series 3 might have been pushed aside a bit because of the huge iPhone announcements, but the news about the Watch is just as exciting—I promise! Here's everything you need to know about the new cellular Apple Watch and watchOS 4, including the price of the new Apple Watch, the watchOS 4 and Apple Watch 3 release dates, and more.