Category Archives: Apple Watch

Episode 164, AT&T to deliver up to 5-Gigs of internet speed in 70 cities; Apple releases Polishing Cloth cleaning instructions



In this episode, we will discuss today’s announcement by AT&T of upgraded fiber plans which support speeds up to 5 Gigabytes for customers in 70 metropolitan cities across the United States. A listing of the cities is below with multi-gig in blue text.  In the second half of the podcast, we will be following up on the story we did a few episodes ago about the Apple Polishing Cloth.

 

The Apple Polishing Cloth is now becoming widely available after months of backorders.  You can find them at Apple Stores and online. Learn how Apple recommends you clean the cloth when it becomes soiled.

Episode 162, Apple Fitness+ introduces new ways to motivate people toward their fitness goals starting Monday, January 10



In this episode, we will review Apple Fitness+ expanding its programs by introducing Collections and Time to Run on January 10.  My personal favorite, also occurring Monday, Fitness+ will also introduce the third season of Time to Walk featuring the world’s most interesting and influential people.  Mac Minutes listeners can also learn how to take advantage of a special event with world-renown Apple tutorial expert, Dan Wassink, from Dan’s Tutorials, occurring Jan 12, 7 pm (AKT).

Time to Run will launch with three episodes from London, Brooklyn, and Miami Beach on Monday, Jan 10.
Starting January 10, Fitness+ will introduce the third season of Time to Walk, with new guests including Rebel Wilson, Bernice A. King, Hasan Minhaj, and more.
New workouts will be added to the Artist Spotlight series on January 10, featuring the music of Ed Sheeran, Pharrell Williams, Shakira, and the Beatles.

Episode 161, Apple’s Polishing Cloth finally arrives along with an enlightening review



Happy New Year.  In our first episode of  2022, we will review the Apple Polishing Cloth which I finally received.  For most U.S. shoppers, their shipment has been delayed until early January, at the earliest, so this review is timely even with its early launch.   I’ve been using it rigorously to give you my initial review.

Apple’s polishing cloth is priced is sold both in Apple retail stores and on Apple.com. The cloth has been delayed for months and is just coming to many customers in 2022.
Picture of the Apple Polishing Cloth and unboxing photo

Episode 160, Apple ‘Rings in the New Year’ with 2022 AppleWatch Activity Award



Happy holidays and a joyous New Year. In this episode, we will discuss the announcement that you’ll be able to work towards earning the “Ring in the New Year” activity badge beginning on Saturday, January 1, 2022.

 

AppleWatch users can unlock a special 2022 ‘Ring in the New Year” award in the Activity app and unique stickers for iMessage and FaceTime after completing a meeting a specific goal: close all three Activity rings for seven days in the month.

Episode 158, Apple offers exclusive gifts to music lovers; Fitness+ will feature Prince William on Time to Walk starting Dec. 6



Happy holidays from the Mac Minutes Podcast!  In this episode, we will discuss two special events Apple is offering its users for free this holiday season.  The events are from Apple Music and Fitness +.

It’s the holiday season, and at Apple Music we’re getting into the giving spirit. As we head into the most wonderful time of the year, we’re offering exclusive gifts for Apple Music users — just because we love you.
Fitness+ guides users through engaging workouts led by a diverse and inclusive team of trainers.
The second season of Time to Walk on Apple Fitness+ will close with a special holiday episode featuring Prince William.

Episode 155, Apple honors and supports American Veterans with their programs and products



In this episode, I will tell you about how Apple honors and celebrates American Veterans.  I will do this from information provided from Apple and with the perspective of having nearly 40 years of service, both civilian and as an active duty service member.  This is how Apple has made a difference to me since their very early beginnings.  This episode is dedicated to honoring and helping fellow Veterans and their family members who use or have access to Apple products.

On Apple Fitness+, a new episode of Time to Walk features Gen. CQ Brown, Jr., chief of staff of the US Air Force and the first African American to lead a branch of the armed forces.
This Veterans Day, special activations across Apple’s products and services honor veterans throughout the US by sharing their stories and legacies.
Apple Watch users across the US can participate in the Veterans Day Challenge on November 11 to earn a limited edition Activity award and animated stickers for messages.

Episode 153, Apple celebrates Veteran’s Day with Fitness; Activity Awards creates your achievements into beautiful magnets



In this episode we will discuss Apple celebrating Veteran’s Day in the United States by earning a beautiful Apple Activity Challenge Fitness award on Thursday, November 11.  We will tell you how you can participate in this noteworthy effort. In the second half of the podcast we will talk about the Activity Awards company that offers physical representations of the digital fitness awards that Apple provides when AppleWatch owners meet their goals. Happy Veteran’s Day from the Mac Minutes Podcast!

Apple is planning to offer its next Apple Watch Activity Challenge on Thursday, November 11 in honor of the upcoming Veterans Day holiday. The photo in the far right is the physical Veteran’s Award that is obtainable from https://activityawards.com
This display is my shadow box with my earned Apple Activity Awards.

Episode 148, Apple Watch Series 7 preview; preorder Friday with availability starting Friday, Oct. 15



In this episode we will preview the Apple Watch Series 7 features a larger and more advanced display, enhanced durability, faster charging, new aluminum case colors, and watchOS 8.  Apple announced this week Apple Watch Series 7, featuring the largest and most advanced Apple Watch display ever — and a reengineered Always-On Retina display with significantly more screen area and thinner borders — will be available to order beginning Friday, October 8, at 5 am PDT, and arriving, along with availability in stores starting Friday, October 15.

Apple Watch Series 7 features a larger and more advanced display, enhanced durability, faster charging, new aluminum case colors, and watchOS 8. Apple Watch Series 7, featuring a larger, more advanced display, is available for order starting Friday, October 8.
Apple Watch Series 7 is available in five brand new aluminum case colors, including midnight, starlight, green, and a new blue and Product Red.  

Episode 145, Apple preorders begin; Key new features of the iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max



In this episode we will discuss the new features of the iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max which debuted along the with the unveiling of other devices at the Apple keynote streaming event, including iPhone 13, iPhone 13 mini, AppleWatch Series 7, iPad, 9th Generation and iPad Mini.  Today, we will start our concentrate our discussion with the iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max.  These models are more pro than ever before.  We will go in depth about the new iPhones features having the most advanced pro camera system ever on iPhone; super Retina XDR display with ProMotion; a massive leap in battery life; A15 Bionic, the fastest chip in a smartphone; an advanced 5G experience; and so much more.  More information about the launch Tuesday, Sept.. 14 is at https;//apple.com/newsroom and at the Mac Minutes Podcast website https://macminutespodcast.com.

iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max will be available in four stunning finishes including graphite, gold, silver, and sierra blue. The pro camera system on iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max features an all-new Ultra Wide camera with autofocus which enables macro photography natively on iPhone, a new Wide camera, and a new Telephoto camera with increased 3x optical zoom.
iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max feature an even brighter and smarter Super Retina XDR display with ProMotion, with an adaptive refresh rate up to 120Hz. With a new 5-core GPU, A15 Bionic in iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max enables the best graphics performance ever on iPhone.

Episode 144, Apple’s Sept. 14 Keynote announced; RECCO, ‘twICEme’ iPhone App uses technology to bring bike helmets to a digital level of safety



In this episode, we will bypass the speculation nonsense, other than making sure you know about the Tuesday, September 14 Apple Keynote.  It’s at 10 am PDT streaming live, and will be available later.   We are expecting to see several new models of the iPhone, an AppleWatch and other hardware and software announcements.  There are plenty of stories already out there, but I’d rather spend the time on a topic more meaningful.   We will save that coverage for a Tuesday evening special Mac Minutes Podcast when we know the facts.  I’d encourage you to tune into the keynote and come back for our analysis.  This week I want to talk about a major step forward for biking safety, especially for those of us who venture out alone. I purchased this new bike helmet which came out this year, specifically the POC Kortal Race MIPS Bike Helmet. It has tons of structural safety features but the technology is what sold me.

The RECCO Search and Rescue (SAR ) detector can overlarge areas fast. From a height of 100 meters covering a search area of approx. 100 meters wide, the SAR enables rescuers to search 1 square kilometer within 6 minutes.
Mountain-biking wearing the POC Kortal MIPS Race helmet.
Photo of the Kortal Race MIPS helmet equipped with RECCO rescue reflector. The helmet retails for $250.  a 10% discount is available on their website
twICEme is the digital application on the Apple App Store that integrates vital ICE information into equipment, such as an equipped bike helmet.