The possibility of third-party accessories for Apple Watch is still something Apple hasn’t made official, but that isn’t stopping a slew of companies from announcing products before the Apple Watch ships next month. The latest is a band accessory called Reserve Strap that aims to combat any battery life issues with a strap that includes embedded batteries to charge the device while you wear it.
The possibility of such an accessory has been a source of conversation, especially after the recently introduced Pebble Time smart watch was announced alongside a smart bands platform for creating similar accessories.
It’s clear the Reserve Strap is still an early prototype, but it does give us a look at what type of accessories might be available for the device. Here’s what the company told us about the product:
The band will have embedded batteries and utilize magnetic inductive charging similar to the new MagSafe wall charger for the Apple Watch. We don’t have hard numbers yet but based on current testing projections, we believe we will be able to increase the battery life of the Apple Watch by up to 125%.
Battery life and charging has also been a big topic of conversation for the Apple Watch that is expected to provide a day or less worth of battery life depending on use. Apple is also reportedly planning to include a “Power Reserve” mode on the device that displays only the time and conserves battery life.
The company is already taking preorders for the accessory on its website for $249. That’s $100 less than the entry-level Apple Watch itself will sell for. The company doesn’t have a timeframe for its release yet.
Other previously announced accessories in the works for Apple Watch include a handlebar bike mount, charging stands and docks, and protective cases. Apple is also planning on selling its own Apple Watch straps as separate accessories.
It’s possible Apple could announce more in the way of Apple Watch accessories at its upcoming March 9 press event.
This is the Reserve Strap. from Reserve Strap on Vimeo.
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I don’t think this thing is anything more than a long-shot/wild-guess sort of thing and that it will either fail or be significantly chunkier and give significantly less power than they say. It also seems likely that the Watch simple cannot be charged while being worn because of the sensors on the back. This band would seemingly have to impede either the charging or the sensing.
The people that think they are going to get somewhere manufacturing “cases” for the Apple watch just make me laugh out loud. I’m sure there are people somewhere stupid enough to buy them, (most people use a case for their phone for instance despite it being whole unnecessary and ugly), but the whole idea of a case for a watch that it’s in while it’s on your wrist is ridiculous.
The fact that you argue against people that use a case makes you sound ignorant.
Or prescient, depending on the person.
I’m with Gazoo Bee on this one. I just thought of it after the key note… imagine all the idiots slapping on a bulky case or even a giant sock-of-some-sort just to ‘protect’ and ‘charge’ the iWatch. It is this ridiculous-yet-real notion alone that tells me the iWatch is going to be a failure bigger than the iPod HIFI (actually, the HIFI was simply THE best ever darn speaker system — I have one, and nothing compares even now — I also have a SoundDockIII).
I mean think of it — a watch that lasts just a day? Most likely even much less (see how they say an iPhone lasts a day)!!
Only idiot iSheep will go for it. Even if I were given an iWatch for free, form over function just ain’t right. Not in a watch. You can have time more precise than an atomic clock– doesn’t matter sh•t if the watch can’t even hold a charge to tell you what watches are supposed to tell you — THE TIME!
I’ve been using macs since I was 9. My first mac was a Mac Plus and before that I used a Sharp MZ-80A. I’ve only ever owned and used Apple products — but this iWatch is the antithesis of what a good watch should be: a.) self-running b.) slim
The IDEAL iWatch is going to be 2 more generations down (the 3rd iteration) — incase you iSheep haven’t realised it yet — every 3rd iteration is the right one to pick. Go to http://www.apple-history.com and if you think you know everything Apple, start thinking hard and wise at your own purchases and which ones worked out the best for you in terms of mature features. Every wondered why iPhones (in the beginning) didn’t get as good storage capacity as iPod Touches? Or why the iPad doesn’t get as good a camera as the iPhone — why it takes two more generations to get the additional features (i.e. touch ID)?
By then the iWatch will be self-charging — using the acid in your sweat to generate a charge combined with sunlight. Hey don’t ask me how that would ever work — but they’ll figure it out. It’ll even be able to make coffee for you if they wanted it to.
You guy’s didn’t even read a single word of the article. WHERE does it say that this is a ‘case’? You complain about the battery life of the iWatch, then a company releases a strap that will supposedly more then double the battery life, and then you complain some more.
cases? for an expensive piece of technology? man, that sounds pretty smart! Protecting a piece of art and characterizing it at the same time makes me think of all the successful iPhone case companies that are now doing the same thing for the iwatch. It would be smart to invest in one, unless you sit in a bubble all day. And “theanimaster” don’t hate on the watch that you haven’t even tried out yet. For being an apple fan you sure do seem to have a pretty pessimistic view on their latest piece of technology. Have fun waiting for the “3rd iteration” of the iwatch when you’re too old to sh** out your own a**.
It’s not a case for a watch, it’s a strap. Did you not read the words that were used. A case for the AppleWatch? Maybe someone is thinking of protective case for traveling for those that have many different Apple Watches. There are some that will buy one for when they work out or for casual use, another watch for more formal events where they are dressed up. I’ve already talked to some people that plan on buying at least 2 of these things. One in Aluminum and one in Stainless Steel because they understand having some fashion sense.
From experience with kickstarter, this band will probably be released by the time Apple Watch 2 is announced. And Apple 2 will most likely have a longer/improved battery life.
Great idea though!
It’s hilarious to me that people think the second generation Watch will have significantly better battery life. History tells us that will not be the case, at all. Unless Apple begins using a new battery tech, you can expect roughly the same battery life.
I can see them getting better battery life in future versions. What happens if they go with a different processor and screen technology that doesn’t require as much power? There are future screen technologies which may allow for this, just as there are smaller die size processors which get better battery life. Apple has increased the battery life in most of their portable devices over the years. Go look at the first generation MacBooks to the most recent. HUGE increase in battery life compared to what they had 15 years ago.
As much as I almost never seem to agree with “o0smoothies0o” he is right about this.
The Apple Watch will have to be charged every day, that’s the goal, they say they’ve reached it for the first version, and it isn’t likely to ever change. As the watch gets more efficient, they will reduce the battery volume and keep the number of hours it lasts the same. This is how the Watch will get thinner over time.
Apple literally ALWAYS does this.
Even when an apple user has this it would only bring the battery life up to about 3 days (my guess). Which is good. Although I find it funny iPhone users are buying battery cases for their iPhone because they experience similar battery problems as they will with the watch (when comparing to a pebble). Although for some people 1-2 days of battery life (depending on use) isn’t bad since they charge their phone every night anyways. It would be great to see a lighting cable that could connect to iPhones and charge the watch on the go with your iPhone
For the cost I would just buy two watches. :-)
So I buy the battery and then I can’t use all the features reliably because of that separation on the LEDs?
How about no!?
Apple surely will provide battery life for at least one busy day. I don’t eant anymore. I already have to take out my watch everyday, and because I wear a classic mechanic, I have to wind it up everyday or it will not be reliable lol
I bet Apple will do this after few rounds of complaints or they’ll hand out free cords that tether to your iPhone for battery power. Remember those iPod Nano watchbands with the headphones cord trailing up people’s arms?
Don’t get me wrong I’m a good fan of Apple and gadgets but not an early adopter
Pretty cool!!! Hope thry pull it off in time.. Or apple will beat them to it !
less than one day battery life? The lg urbane lasts over 2 days. Apple is very far behind.
What would be even better is a band that took your motion and turned it into energy…
As if the Apple Watch isn’t big enough already. Here’s a $250 strap to accomplish what other OEM fixed last year.
A Lithium-Ion-Polymer battery wrapped around your wrist. Surely nothing can go wrong there. I mean, sure we’ve had exploding iPhones and Li-On batteries overheating causing fires on Boeing’s latest Dreamliners but hey– what can POSSIBLY go wrong, right?
I spoke with an Apple rep about Apple having its own battery strap, and was told that Apple will be coming out with its own battery strap in the fall with the rollout of WatchOS 2, and there is no question about it. So I think shelling out $250 for a battery strap from a 3rd party without even waiting for Apple to launch theirs is really jumping the gun.
and it is Apple watch, not iWatch!