Category: Apple Insider

“Low Power Mode maintains many of the core features of Apple Watch” said Deidre Caldbeck, the director of Apple Watch Product Marketing, at Apple’s September 2022 event. “Providing maximum battery savings with the least impact to the user experience.”

Though not in the original watchOS 9 betas, Apple surprised users by announcing the feature at their “Far Out” Apple Event in September 2022.

Here is the background of Low Power Mode, the devices that support it with watchOS 9, and how to enable it — plus what it disables — to maximize your watch’s battery life.

Low Power Mode on the Apple Watch works the same as Low Power Mode on the iPhone. The feature turns off features in the background that are not important to you at the very moment.

While it disables features that may be running in the background and utilizing power, Apple made sure that features that still engage with the core use of the Apple Watch are still enabled and functional.

Prominent features that will be turned off when enabling Low Power Mode would be: the Always-On Display, auto workout detection, background heart rate and blood oxygen measurements, heart rate and irregular rhythm notifications, limiting WiFi connections, and incoming notifications will be delayed as well.

Complications will update less frequently, making a phone call may take longer, some animations and scrolling may appear less smooth, and Siri may take longer to press requests as well.

While the Apple Watch can utilize your iPhone for WiFi and cellular connectivity, when you are away from your phone, the Apple Watch may turn on connectivity even when in Low Power Mode to be able to perform the tasks you want to complete. This may cause significant battery consumption.

Disabling these features while enabling Low Power Mode will extend the Apple Watch’s battery to up to 36 hours of use from a full charge.

Low Power Mode is available on Series 4 models and later, they just need to be running watchOS 9.

Turning on Low Power Mode is located in a very convent area and is very easy to turn on and off. Here is how you activate Low Power Mode on the Apple Watch.

1. Swipe up on your Apple Watch to access Control Center
2. Tap on Battery Percentage
3. Scroll down under the battery percentage information until you see the “Low Power Mode” toggle
4. Tap on the switch to turn on Low Power Mode
5. A message will appear stating what features will be temporarily disabled to get a longer battery. Scroll down and tap “Turn On”.
6. You can also select how long you want to turn on Low Power Mode for. You can select between 1 day, 2 days, or 3 days.

Low Power Mode can also be done while doing a workout. Here is how to turn it on automatically.

1. Open the Settings app on your Apple Watch
2. Scroll down to the bottom until you see Workout
3. Turn on Low Power Mode (it should be the first option)

While it is on, your metrics – such as heart rate and pace – will still be measured.

Turning off Low Power Mode can be done at any time. To do so, you just tap the switch like you did to turn it on.

Low Power Mode has been included in every device’s software so far. The feature promises longer battery life by disabling background functions that may not be as important to you in the moments you need to preserve as much battery as possible.

First being introduced on the iPhone, Craig Federighi, the senior vice president of Software Engineering at Apple, promised that enabling the feature would extend battery life “by an additional 3 hours”. Low Power Mode was first introduced in iOS 9 back in 2015.

Though it took a couple of years afterward, the iPad and Mac got the feature to their operating systems as well.

The iPad received Low Power Mode in iPadOS 14 – which was released in the Fall of 2020 – and can be enabled similarly to how you would enable the feature in iOS – through the Settings app.

The Mac got Low Power Mode in macOS Monterey – which was released in fall 2021 – and can be enabled in the Battery section in the System Preferences.

Low Power Mode can be enabled manually, through pre-set automations, or by asking Siri to enable the feature for you.

The biggest critique the Apple Watch has received since the beginning has been its battery life. While Apple advertises all-day battery life on the Apple Watch, it depends on what you do with it to see if it holds up to that.

Low Power Mode pushes the battery inside the Apple Watch to last longer by disabling features that may not have to be utilized at the current moment. While that is happening, Apple still keeps features for safety – like Fall Detection – in place even when Low Power Mode is enabled. It is nice to see that the same core experience is still enabled whether the feature is turned on or off.

Everyone with a compatible device can download watchOS 9 now for free to access Low Power Mode.

In late September, Apple was reported to have rejected TSMC’s plan to raise its chip manufacture prices by up to 6%.

Now, a report from Economic Daily News on Tuesday evening suggests that Apple has agreed to the price increase.

TSMC is a major manufacturer when it comes to chips for Apple devices. Apple could likely be the first company to employ TSMC’s new 3-nanometer processors for the anticipated A17 in 2023’s iPhone 15 Pro.

It’s not clear what the price hike is specifically for, either 3nm, later processes, or the next batch of chip production. Apple and TSMC are likely well along in the next round of chip production — which is not an instant process.

TSMC was first rumored in August 2022 to be planning an increase. Shortly afterwards it formally told its customers that the price rise would take place in 2023.

Apple’s third beta of iOS 16.1 unexpectedly included an option within the Settings app to seemingly enable Adaptive Transparency on the first-generation AirPods Pro. However, despite appearing in the build of the operating system, it wasn’t a functional element for users.

While it brought hope to some that the feature will work in future for the older personal audio accessories, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman posted on Twitter that his sources say “this is a bug.” In clarifying comments on Monday, Gurman adds “It’s not meant to work,” and probably was only accessible by mistake.

Adaptive Transparency for the second-generation AirPods Pro is an enhancement of the original Transparency mode, which allows some environmental sounds through while reducing the volume of drones and ongoing noises. Adaptive Transparency adds in the automatic quieting of sudden loud noises, while keeping the listener aware of their surroundings.

Apple has not mentioned the possibility of Adaptive Transparency being made available on older hardware, and it is unlikely to make the transition due to the component changes in the newest models.

Since launch, the iPhone 14 Pro has demonstrated itself to be a very popular device with consumers. In its fourth week, Sunday’s Apple Product Availability Tracker by analysts at JP Morgan sees a similar situation to one week prior, with strong demand for the Pro models, weak for the non-Pro.

However, the silver lining for the iPhone 14 is the iPhone 14 Plus. As the October 7 release date nears, the lead times for that model are starting to extend beyond the first date of availability in most regions, except the United States. JP Morgan reckons this is a sign the model is finding favor with consumers as the release gets closer.

Overall, the at-home delivery times for the iPhone 14, Pro, and Pro Max averaged across all regions at 2 days, 33 days, and 40 days respectively. Relative to the iPhone 13, the iPhone 14’s lead times are shorter, “in line to modestly lower” for the iPhone 14 Pro, and “more extended” for the Pro Max.

In the U.S., the iPhone 14 is stable at 4 days, with the Plus seemingly tracking to its first available date. These are “less favorable” relative to the iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 mini at this stage, at 14 and 20 days respectively. The Pro and Pro Max are seeing a modest increase in their lead times, to 32 days and 39 days.

In-store, the iPhone 14 and Pro are available for same-day pickup, while there’s a wait for the Pro Max.

Elsehwere, China saw its Pro models lead times increase to 36 days and 43 days, respective of size. Meanwhile the iPhone 14 has a two-day lead time, down from 4 days one week ago, and the Plus has a delivery timing that’s tracking beyond October 7.

In Germany and the UK, the iPhone 14 is next-day delivery, with iPhone 14 Plus set for launch day delivery, both less favorable than the iPhone 13 and 13 mini in 2021. On the Pro side, the lead times grew modestly in Germany, but remained constant in the UK.

For the Wearables Tracker, the strong demand for the Apple Watch Ultra has continued for another week, with lead times of 26 days being slightly down from 30 days one week ago. The Apple Watch Series 8 is also doing well, at 16 days against the week-ago 19 days. Apple Watch SE saw its lead times dip from 8 days to 6 days.

The second-generation AirPods Pro currently has lead times of around 4 days globally, except in China. There, the lead times have extended from 4 days to 11 days.

The Apple Watch Ultra is the first model with a larger 49mm case. Both the Apple Watch SE released in 2022, and the Apple Watch Series 8 come in 41mm and 44mm size variants. The band size situation remains the same — the smaller watches will fit the smaller lug standard that Apple set at launch, and the larger ones remain compatible with the bigger lug.

The Apple Watch Ultra will fit existing standard 42mm, 44mm, and 45mm bands. That said, we have found that a very few third-party bands that don’t fit, that have very slightly larger lugs than standard. Those are generally coming from generic and unpronounceable brands that have too many adjacent consonants in the company name.

Our roundup of bands includes different case materials, styles, and at least one that is made of recycled materials.

Nomad’s Titanium Band for the Apple Watch features a black carbon coating over grade 2 titanium. This titanium version is 99% pure and has more resistance to corrosion than other grades.

The coating, which the company calls a Diamond-like carbon coating, is resistant to scratches. The band includes a tool for users to adjust the length.

It’s available for the Apple Watch Ultra size at 49mm, as well as all other versions of the Apple Watch, for $249.95.

Nomad also has a Sport band for the Apple Watch that comes in various colors, and the Ultra Orange variant is the only limited edition option.

The Sport Band is 100% waterproof and is made out of FKM fluoroelastomer rubber, a class of synthetic rubber designed to work in high temperatures and is resistant to oils. It’s also antimicrobial and can be easily sanitized with soap and water.

The regular Sport band is is $59.95 and a thinner Sport Slim option can be had for the same price. There are options for the 49mm Apple Watch Ultra and a variant that supports all other Apple Watch models.

Nomad also has a series of leather bands for the Apple Watch using 100% waterproof leather and FKM fluoroelastomer rubber.

The leather, Heinen leather from Germany, features interior ventilation channels to help reduce sweat build-up. It’s designed for the Apple Watch, but the product listing doesn’t mention the Apple Watch Ultra.

Another band from Nomad is an attractive stainless steel option featuring a Diamond-like carbon coating for scratch resistance.

It’s made from 316L stainless steel, sometimes called A4 stainless steel or marine grade stainless steel. It has a magnetic clasp and a tool to adjust the length, and this band is available for the Apple Watch Ultra and all other models.

The Steel band can be purchased for for $149.95 in silver and graphite.

Officially licensed by Lucasfilm, the band features 3D elements inspired by Darth Vader’s black armor, such as his helmet, chest plate, and the Imperial Crest.

Made with sweat and UV-resistant silicone, this smartwatch band is tough while feeling smooth. Download the MobyFace App to unlock 20 exclusive Watch Faces included with the purchase.

This band retails for $59.95 and is available for all Apple Watch models. Coupon code VARIANT15 knocks 15% off the band at MobyFox directly, while the company is selling it for $39.90 via MobyFox on Amazon.

MobyFox has other collections of bands from popular movies, including those from MARVEL. For example, the ‘I am Groot’ band features the beloved character from Guardians of the Galaxy, officially licensed.

Made with sweat and UV-resistant silicone, this smartwatch band is durable while feeling smooth. Download the MobyFace App to unlock 20 exclusive Watch Faces included with the purchase.

This band is available for $45.00 (save 15% with promo code VARIANT15) and supports all versions of the Apple Watch.

The 41mm Qira band from Juuk is available in various finishes, including polished, brushed, rose gold, and more.

Each link in the 316L stainless steel band is a pyramid. It fits wrist sizes from 142mm (5.59 inches) to 200mm (7.87 inches). All bands come with a small screwdriver for link removal.

This fashionable band can be had for for $169.99, but the company is offering a 15% discount using the code ENDOFSUMMER22.

The Simple band from Arrow & Board is made in small-batch style in Texas. Each side is a piece of vegetable-tanned leather that will soften over time and develop a patina.

It’s available for Apple Watch case sizes 40mm/41mm, and 44mm/45mm, so support for the Apple Watch Ultra is not found here. No matter which size customers choose, the band is available for $79.

The company says this medium brown band can match nearly any outfit. Each side is a piece of vegetable-tanned leather that will soften over time and develop a patina, although the company says creating this band takes longer than its other offerings.

It’s available for Apple Watch case sizes 40mm/41mm, and 44mm/45mm for $119.

This band is made of soft, antimicrobial silicone with an adjustable clasp for security. It features striped detail on the outer band and a sport wave design on the inner band to provide airflow to the skin.

The product listing says it’s available for all Apple Watch models, including the Apple Watch Ultra. However, the sizes to choose from are 45mm/44mm/42mm for the Ultra, and 41mm/40mm/38mm. In any case, it can be purchased for $39.95 on Amazon.

The Nato Eco strap is made of recycled water bottles, a recycled woven label, and recyclable stainless steel hardware. It has a multiple pass-through design for added security.

The sizes to choose from are 45mm/44mm/42mm, and 41mm/40mm/38mm, and can be purchased for $49.95 via Urban Armor Gear on Amazon.

The Lowry Cuff is made of full-grain leather with a soft leather lining. It has an opening for the Apple Watch optical pulse sensor on the bottom, so features that use this won’t be affected.

The marine-grade stitching is the same durable kind found in parachutes, sails, and more. This band is designed for 125mm to 215mm wrists.

It’s compatible with Apple Watch models and retails for $89.95. Promo code PQ15 brings the price down to $76.46, though, at Pad & Quill.

The iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus were classified as vintage in February 2022, and now the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus meet the same fate.

When the iPhone 6s was launched, Apple continued to sell the iPhone 6 as its lower-cost offering. It finally stopped sales once the iPhone 7 was released in 2016.

The iPhone 6 line was the first time that Apple introduced the larger “Plus” variant to an iPhone. It also featured an all-new design with curved edges that replaced the older flat-edged design of the iPhone 4 through iPhone 5s.

Apple also launched Apple Pay alongside the iPhone 6, its secure payment system for storing credit and debit cards in the Wallet app that customers can use to purchase goods.

Apple considers one of its products as vintage when it stopped distributing them for sale more than five years and less than seven years ago.

The company provides service and parts for vintage products for up to seven years or as required by law.

Obsolete products are those that Apple stopped distributing for sale more than seven years ago — but since the iPhone 6 was sold until 2016, we’re not quite there yet. All hardware service is stopped for obsolete products, except for certain Macs that can receive battery-only repairs.

TikTok and Instagram creator Daniel Mac had approached Blevins for his series where he asks expensive car owners about their job. Mac stopped the executive while he was parking a Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren, a car that can sell for hundreds of thousands of dollars.

The video, published on September 5, shows Blevins answering the question of what he does for a living.

“I have rich cars, play golf and fondle big-breasted women, but I take weekends and major holidays off,” he said. Blevins also mentioned his “hell of a dental plan” which, presumably, he will be losing.

Tony Blevins in TikTok video

The video got over 40,000 likes on Instagram and 1.3 million views on TikTok. The clip was found by some employees of Apple’s operations and procurement teams that Blevins heads as vice president.

The employees reported the TikTok to Apple’s human resources department, which then opened an investigation. The video also spread to employees and some of Apple’s important suppliers.

Jeff Williams, the company’s Chief Operating Officer, has been Blevins’s boss for most of the executive’s 22-year stint at the company. Williams reportedly made the decision that Blevins had to go, and is assuming his duties.

In a statement to Bloomberg, Blevins confirmed the incident, saying it happened on August 18. “I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely apologize to anyone who was offended by my mistaken attempt at humor,” he said.

During his tenure at Apple, Blevins, known as “The Blevinator” led negotiations over cellular modems with Qualcomm and Intel, and has helped lower the costs of important parts in Apple’s devices. He recently worked with Apple’s satellite agreement with Globalstar.

A report in 2020 detailed Blevins as a relentless and sometimes ruthless negotiator who stopped at nothing to ensure Apple a favorable deal.

Apple will hold an investor conference call following its fourth-quarter earnings release on Thursday, October 27, the company said in an update to its investor webpage. The call is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. Pacific, 5 p.m. Eastern.

Following tradition, Cook and Maestri are expected to deliver word on Apple’s overall financial health and break out segment details for the three months ending in September.

AppleInsider will be covering the fourth quarter earnings call live starting at 5 p.m. Eastern, 2 p.m. Pacific.

VKontakte, a popular Russian social network app with millions of downloads, disappeared from the App Store. As of now, the reason for the removal has not been disclosed.

VK, the company behind the app, posted a statement on Monday, spotted by The Verge. It notified users that several of their apps had been removed from the App Store. This includes apps Mail.ru, VK Music, and Youla classified.

The statement informs users that if an app is already installed on a compatible device, it will continue to work. However, users may experience issues with notifications or payments.

They also have informed users that they can continue to use VKontakte from mobile browsers and the desktop application.

In March, Apple stopped all online sales in Russia after its invasion of Ukraine. Sales have not resumed as of September.

The repair company has a video on YouTube explaining the process, and may publish a blog post later detailing the teardown. The screen looks challenging to repair, with the test model breaking even under the professional hands of iFixit.

The Apple Watch Ultra is the company’s solution for users in extreme conditions. The new Apple Watch features a rugged, titanium design with a 49mm display, Action Button, dual-band GPS, and more.

This Apple Watch model has exposed screws on the back of the case, marking the first time Apple has done so with its Apple Watch series. But, because of the screen, the watch as a whole remains a difficult repair.

There is a gasket underneath the display that iFixit says behaves like glue. It was destroyed upon removal of the Watch’s back plate, which means an official repair by Apple or an Apple Authorized Service Provider may be needed to keep this part intact. During the course of the teardown, a gasket crucial to the device’s water resistance was broken.

With that gasket intact, the Apple Watch is compliant with EN13319, which is an internationally recognized standard for dive computers and gauges. It works to a maximum depth of 130 feet or 40 meters. Without it, it has no resistance at all.

Other components, such as the Taptic Engine and battery, require the screen to be removed beforehand.

The teardown also confirmed Apple Watch Ultra specifications. It has a battery of 2.1 watt-hours, which is 60% bigger than the Apple Watch Series 8 at 1.19 watt-hours.