O'Grady's PowerPage

Category: Wearables

  • Apple Watch could help lend data to hyper-local weather prediction apps

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    A lot of attention has gone into the upcoming Apple Watch’s biometric and health-centric sensors, but the device could also be great for weather forecasting.

    Last fall, after the announcement of the iPhone 6 and its barometer, meteorologist Cliff Mass wrote a giddy blog post about the promise of smartphone barometers. He said experimental results from his research team show that dense networks of mobile barometers alone can create highly accurate three-dimensional weather maps. That “almost sounds like magic” to Mass.

    The implications of highly localized weather forecasts are profound. The Weather Company, which owns the Weather Channel, has used local weather forecasts to drive increased revenue through context-specific advertising for years. Dense networks of barometer-enabled smartphones in India and Africa could boost local economies by aiding agriculture and other weather-dependent sectors.
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  • First Apple Watch-compatible apps arrive, now available for download in App Store

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    You may not be able to buy the Apple Watch for almost a month, but the apps are coming out for it.

    A slew of new apps have been released with full Apple Watch functionality. That being said, here we go:

    Target – The Target app lets you add items to your list and find aisle locations for items. The app’s glance lets you swipe up from the watch face to see when your store is open and how many items are on your list.

    Dark Sky – The popular hyper-local weather app brings its accurate forecasting to your wrist.

    Evernote – Evernote on the Apple Watch lets you dictate notes, view your recently-created notes, search, and create reminders.
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  • Belgian IT firm lets you preview Apple Watch through paper printouts, augmented reality

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    This might be ridiculous.

    Or it could be amazing.

    A Belgian IT company called Underside is allowing you to try on the Apple Watch via augmented reality. Simply print a special wristband, attach it to your wrist like a watch, then point your phone at the paper watch, and through the magic of augmented reality, becomes an Apple Watch.

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  • Rumor: Apple Watch to see initial supply constraints with OLED unit, but constraint is not unexpected

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    The Apple Watch may see supply constraints before launch, but Apple should be prepared for them.

    This is what one source has indicated, as Apple has seen similar issues. When the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus debuted last year, Apple struggled to keep up with consumer demand for months.

    That may happen again with the Apple Watch. One person familiar with Apple’s internal logistics shared this week that with all of the new technology introduced in the Apple Watch, the company has faced production issues with the wrist-worn device “at every stage of the development.”
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  • Nomad introduces Puck, Stand charging accessories for Apple Watch

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    This could come in handy.

    Last week, accessory maker Named unveiled two new product categories for Apple Watch; Stand and Pod. The Stand for Apple Watch is built from a solid piece of military grade extruded aluminium with a concealed, precision CnC milled, channel on the backside to effortlessly guide Apple’s cable and magnetic puck into place. The Stand, which retails for US$59, is an Apple Watch charging stand for your desk or bedside with stabilization provided by a copper ballast and high friction rubber base that will begin shipping by May 1st.
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