smartwatch

iPhone 15, MagSafe upgrades, Apple Watch: Everything we’re expecting from Apple’s next reveal

The leaves change colors, you grab a scarf, pumpkin spice is back and Apple has a big announcement — all classic signs of fall. Sept. 12 is Wonderlust — yeah, Apple’s naming them now. I know.

Fear not if your eyes glaze over at yet another camera and processor chip upgrade. Apple’s big promos can start to feel a little same-old, same-old, but some big things are coming this year. Here’s what my grapevine is vining about.

iPhone 15’s big debut

It’s right on schedule following iOS 17, and all rumors point to yes: If you’ve been waiting to upgrade your iPhone for a while, it may be a great time to do it. Highlights include:

A new titanium shell. This rumor is almost confirmed, thanks to a leak from iPhone suppliers. Titanium will make the new iPhone stronger and more shock-proof than ever, a boon to those of us who fumble our phones on the reg.
Maybe, probably, the huge switch to USB-C for all new iPhones. I’ve been expecting this since the EU told Apple it would require it, and the iPhone 15 is a great place to make the change. There’s a good chance AirPods will get USB-C, too!
A shapeshifting Dynamic Island bar that acts like a responsive notification center and general “look at me” spot for everything your iPhone is doing.

New Apple Watch gets wander and lust

Apple loves to dump new tech into its smartwatch updates, and since wanderlust = “a big desire to get out and travel,” I’m foreseeing a lot of travel-happy upgrades.

That may include a dual-frequency GPS that recently came to the iPhone 14 line, more durable strap options and a long-awaited update to 5G.

Extra support for the Vision Pro (and AR goodies)

The Vision Pro mixed reality headset is expensive, but that’s what you pay to be at the forefront of augmented reality (AR) tech. With so many years and millions of dollars Apple has spent on this project, it’s understandably going to do everything it can to promote Vision Pro ahead of its consumer release.

My crystal ball says that once again, Apple will go hard on mentions of AR, how the iPhone 15 will work with Vision Pro, and maybe even how new AR tech has made its way inside the latest iPhones — like an AR shopping feature to help with in-store price comparisons.

Better MagSafe tricks

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New study: Put on your walking shoes

A walk a day keeps the doctor away. Really! A new study says if you want to live longer, get moving.

As little as 75 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise (aka a brisk walk) lowers the risk of death from certain types of cancer and heart disease. The CDC recommends 150 minutes a week, but good to know that just half gets the job done.

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Feeling random

Cool stuff I found for cleaning, chilling and last-minute gifts:

Pastel plastic baskets for cords, chargers and everything else.
Keyboard wrist rest and mousepad that looks like a cotton candy cloud. Cute!
Tiny pink sound machine for white noise on the go. OK, it comes in other colors, too.
For when your smartwatch is out of juice, a silicone wristband you can jot notes on with a pen.
Professional ultrasonic cleaner for jewelry and glasses.

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A remote you won’t lose: The latest OS for the Apple Watch, watchOS 11, got a snazzy upgrade people who lose the TV remote often are sure to love. With watchOS 11, you can turn the Digital Crown on your smartwatch to control the volume, and you can tap the three-dot menu button to mute or unmute and power your Apple TV on or off.

Don't trust your sleep score

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You know how your smartwatch tells you how well you’re sleeping? Turns out, that might not be all accurate.

Have a heart condition? You might have a smartwatch to keep an eye on your ticker, but one in five users says they feel intense fear when they get an irregular rhythm notification. That extra anxiety isn’t helping your heart. If you have an Apple Watch, try taking some deep breaths with the Mindfulness app before you panic.

Your tech is gross! 5 things you forget to clean

Bad habits can catch up with you. Like any other chore, keeping your tech clean can almost feel like a full-time job. Tap or click for steps to clean tech the right way.

You probably give your smartphone screen a good wiping down now and then. You might even dust your PC keyboard from time to time. But we’re sure there are tech gadgets that you don’t think about cleaning. No worries. We can help.

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Tab overload? How to control what happens when you start your browser

Today’s tech is all about choice. There’s the classic debate: iPhone versus Android. It’s about a lot more than blue and green message bubbles. Here are things you can do on Android phones but still can’t do on iPhones.

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Share via email - James Bond's smartwatch

Share on Facebook - James Bond's smartwatch

Share on LinkedIn - James Bond's smartwatch

James Bond receives a text message on his smartwatch in “The Spy Who Loved Me” (1977).

🤢 Clean your smartwatch: Researchers randomly tested watch wristbands and found 95% were contaminated with harmful bacteria, including E. coli and MRSA. Plastic and rubber hold the most junk. Makes me want to chuck all my stuff in this.

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How tracking your moods can unlock a happier you

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Are you keeping tabs on the health of your mind? Here’s how your smartwatch can help, in one minute.

Your smartwatch is 30x filthier than a toilet

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When did you last give your watch a good clean? The nasty truth in this 60-second podcast.

Too many cables and cords? Use this simple trick to tell them apart

People are constantly upgrading to the latest and greatest tech. Whether you have a new smartwatch or tablet, plenty of pro tips will help you become an expert.

I love helping Komando readers get the most out of their tech. Whether it’s helpful hints and special tricks or just helping you find the right tools, I’ve got you covered! Tap or click to browse my recent columns and tech tips.

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All the new features coming to your Android smartphone

Android fans rejoice! The recent Mobile World Congress event in Barcelona was held, where some major Android updates were announced. You’re going to love some of the new features.

Read on for new Android and Wear OS features that will change the game.

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Is it worth buying an Apple Watch? It depends!

Apple Watch is so much more than just a timepiece. It can track your sleep and keep tabs on vital health information. There are even settings that might save your life someday. Tap or click here for potential life-saving settings to enable.

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Get a free Samsung Galaxy S22 if you hurry - Here’s how

If you’ve been putting off upgrading your phone because new models are just too expensive, it’s time to consider switching carriers. It’s a smart way to score a deal on a pricey piece of tech.

We found a great offer we had to pass along: Switch to T-Mobile and you can get a Samsung Galaxy S22 for free with 24 monthly bill credits when you switch to their Magenta MAX plan. That’s a $799.99 value. Plus, get a Galaxy Watch4 with 24 monthly bill credits with activation of a Watch line.

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Stop the buzzing and beeping: How to set up quiet hours for iPhone, Android, PC and Mac

You are connected to everything and everywhere between your smartphone, smartwatch, laptop and tablet. Tap or click here for 10 handy tech tips you’ll use over and over.

This can be an absolute lifesaver if you forget something or need access to the internet, but what if you need complete silence and someone is trying to get in touch with you? Loud notifications might suddenly attack you in every direction if you have multiple gadgets.

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7 tech gems that make life easier and save you time

Our everyday devices make life easier, but they can be huge time sucks. Here are seven nifty ways tech can help you streamline your life.

You don’t need a smartwatch to measure your heart rate. Cardiio: Heart Rate Monitor is an iPhone app that uses your phone’s camera to take a reading of your pulse. Place your index finger on the back camera, and the app will measure your heart rate by detecting color changes. Be sure to hold your phone steady and keep still. It works with iPads, too.

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Windows quick tip: Use the Cloud Clipboard to see the last 25 items you copied

Your everyday devices are packed with features and functions no one tells you are there.

Take Google, for instance. You can use a quick shortcut to open a new document, calendar invite or spreadsheet without clicking through menus. Tap or click for the time-saving secret.

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True or false: Walking 10K steps a day means you'll lose weight

When you look at any fitness gadget or smartwatch, the magic walking distance is around 10,000 steps each day. Many set this as a daily goal you should achieve for increased fitness, leading a healthier lifestyle and losing weight.

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