Apple Watch

For iPhone owners who can't wait another three weeks to try on the Apple Watch, there's an app for that. ARWatch comes from Underside, a Belgian company with a portfolio including iOS apps and augmented reality projects. The app is free, easy to install and works like a charm.

That being said, you won't find ARWatch on the App Store. While there are no indications that ARWatch contains malware, install at your own risk. Everything begins with a magical PDF file that can be downloaded here. Print out this file, then use an app such as QR Reader for iPhone to scan the QR code at the bottom of the page.

The floodgates on Apple Watch accessories are about to open. The question on everyone's mind is where can I get more bands for Apple Watch? Monowear has already been funded on Kickstarter, and plans to launch an array of Apple Watch compatible bands "for every occasion".

Nylon, leather, mesh and metal link options will attach directly to Apple Watch in two sizes, 20mm and 22mm to accommodate the smaller and larger Apple Watch case sizes. Pricing on Kickstarter puts the nylon band starting at $45. At the top pledge level, $135 brings two Monowear watch bands in any material. The manufacturers will need two weeks of tooling after the Apple Watch is released to start producing a variety of different band styles.

Accessories have always flooded the iPhone and iPad markets, and the Apple Watch will be no different. Two Apple Watch charging stands have already been announced, which will kickstart many other options for Apple fans. Nomad has announced its Stand for Apple Watch in silver and space grey, hitting the market on April 30 for $59.95.

The Apple Watch charging cable threads into a hidden groove in the back of the Nomad Stand, which keeps the look of the accessory minimalist and clean. The actual MagSafe inductive charging plate rests inside the stand, awaiting the Apple Watch for docking. Apple Watch along with the band easily slips on and off of the Nomad stand for easy charging and a visually stunning display.

Everywear Games wants to be the first, and maybe only, game studio dedicated to creating mobile titles optimized for smartwatches. The Finnish company was created by a team of executives who have worked on Angry Birds and other popular mobile titles.

So far there have only been a handful of games announced for the upcoming Apple Watch. NimbleBit, the developer behind Tiny Tower, has announced that they're developing a word game called Letterpad, and Monkube plans to release a smartphone version of its game BlastBall MAX. Besides the obvious quiz games and virtual pets making a come back, there doesn't seem much else you can create for a 38mm device. With a powerful list of top gaming investors in the world behind them, Everywear Games hopes to change that notion and prove that the Apple Watch and other wearable devices are viable gaming platforms.

Much of the speculation and confusion surrounding the Apple Watch battery has now been clarified, after a second round of announcements from Apple ahead of next month’s product launch. There are many highlights, including the fact that a typical Apple Watch battery has a life cycle of three years. While the lithium-ion battery is not user-replaceable, it can be replaced by Apple.

Pricing on an Apple Watch battery replacement remains unknown. But those wishing to refresh the battery in their Apple Watch will definitely save money over a complete upgrade of the device. In the meantime, everything the Apple Watch does will rely on a charged internal battery. So how long does it take to charge the Apple Watch?