Third Party Bands

[vp719]

This may have already been addressed, and if so I apologize for a duplicate post, but has there been any indication if third party bands will be produced/allowed?

 

[Yr Blues]

This may have already been addressed, and if so I apologize for a duplicate post, but has there been any indication if third party bands will be produced/allowed?

Is that kind of removable band even patentable?

 

[vp719]

I wasn't sure if apple could patent the "click-in" mechanism, restricting third party access - similar to how they limited Lightening access to third parties for awhile after introduction.

 

[pologreen94]

So it looks like the sport band goes up to 210mm, my wrist is 220.... So I hope there are 3rd party bands available...

 

[matt9013]

3rd party straps will be everywhere just like iPhone cases, iPad cases etc

 

[mama2twoboys]

ugh. Hope they come out with some XXL bands (260mm) soon! Won't buy a watch without....

 

[vp719]

I'm really surprised we haven't seen any start to even be advertised as "coming soon" yet. iPhone and iPad accessory makers always seem to be sending out upcoming accessory emails even before new products are announced. Hopefully someone starts moving on this soon...it will dictate which Watch version I order.

 

[jjk454ss]

There's a Kickstarter for a band with battery built in.

 

[troop231]

There's a Kickstarter for a band with battery built in.

Got a link?

 

[jjk454ss]

Got a link?

I knew I should have looked it up again, I saw it yesterday or something.


http://9to5mac.com/2015/03/06/apple-watch-charging-strap/

 

[MeFromHere]

I'm really surprised we haven't seen any start to even be advertised as "coming soon" yet. iPhone and iPad accessory makers always seem to be sending out upcoming accessory emails even before new products are announced. Hopefully someone starts moving on this soon...it will dictate which Watch version I order.

There have been at least 2 announcements of 3rd party straps. One was mentioned here:
http://www.hodinkee.com/blog/introducing-standap-the-standard-strap-adaptor-for-apple-watch
But if you follow the link to the Standap project at Indiegogo, it's now funding "fried chicken". The original project either went away, or went into hiding.

But if you dig deeper, there's a Facebook page and the product seems to have been resurrected today under the name "Adappt":
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Adappt-Standard-bands-on-Apple-Watch/791287950964931

There may be a real patent risk with products like this.

 

[troop231]

I knew I should have looked it up again, I saw it yesterday or something.


http://9to5mac.com/2015/03/06/apple-watch-charging-strap/

Oh, that was posted here on MR too, but I thought you were talking about a battery strap that interfaces with the 6 pin connector.

 

[Norcal.]

Im interested in this as well. Hopefully there will be less expensive alternatives than the overpriced bands apple is selling.