Better Apple Watch charging docks can't get here fast enough

Better Apple Watch charging docks can't get here fast enough

Good news since we have to charge up every few days The arrival of new hardware usually comes with releases of accessories for it, and it's no different with the Apple Watch. Charging docks seem to be the hottest item and it looks like manufacturers will soon be able to make their add-ons more useful.

Currently, Apple Watch charging docks require a work-around to allow Apple's proprietary charging module sit comfortably. According to 9to5mac, Apple will allow companies to incorporate the module directly into their designs through the Made for iPhone/iPad/iPod (MFi) licensing program.
This should take effect by the end of the year, and more useful charging docks should start popping up without the need for a Watch charge cord.

Hopefully accessory companies will also take watchOS 2 into consideration and allow charge docks to sit horizontally. The upcoming fall update will allow the Watch to enter Nightstand mode, turning into a mini alarm clock where the Digital Crown becomes a snooze button and the side button turns off alarms.

Apple already took 75 percent of the smartwatch market

Apple already took 75 percent of the smartwatch market

The official numbers for Apple Watch sales are still a mystery. But, according to a report by research firm Strategy Analytics, the Cupertino company shipped an estimated 4 million units during the second quarter of 2015. As a result, Apple's already captured 75 percent of the smartwatch marketshare across the world, despite only being available since late April. Strategy Analytics also points out that, thanks mostly to the Watch, global smartwatch shipments saw a remarkable 457 percent growth year-over-year. Meanwhile, Samsung was the big loser in Q2 2015, as it fell to second place and is said to have shipped a mere 0.4 million devices during that timeframe.

While Apple hasn't been clear-cut about how its Watch business is doing, Chief Financial Officer Luca Maestri did reveal yesterday that the product was responsible for around a billion dollars in quarterly sales. A billion dollars doesn't sound half-bad, sure, but wouldn't it be much better if Apple just told us how many wrist wearables it has sold so far? 

SOURCE: Strategy Analytics

Apple's Home Sharing for music returns in latest iOS 9 beta

Apple's Home Sharing for music returns in latest iOS 9 beta

Well, would you look at that. Not long after it was reported that Apple had killed Home Sharing for music in iOS 8.4, the company appears to be ready to bring the feature back to life. As MacRumors points out, Home Sharing for music is now included in the fourth beta of iOS 9 for developers -- sorry, public testers, this isn't for you.

Apple's SVP of Internet Software and Services, Eddy Cue, said earlier this month that his team was working on restoring the feature, even though there was no indication of when that would be happening. But now it's here, so go have at it if you're part of the iOS dev program.

SOURCE: MacRumors