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I’ve been wearing an Apple Watch for more than a decade — I even went to the launch event in 2014! — but I’m still often flummoxed by the bloody buttons.
Just yesterday, I wanted to bring up the Now Playing music widget on my Apple Watch Ultra, and tried every permutation of clicking, double-clicking, screen-swiping and rolling the Digital Crown until I stumbled upon it by accident. (You simply swipe up on the screen!)
I also finally trained myself to use the Ultra’s Action button to launch a workout — something I do almost daily. But I kept forgetting the enormous, bright orange button was right there on the side.
This was because I’d added a Workout complication to my watch face and became accustomed to launching workouts from there.
I finally figured out that removing that complication would remind me to use the Action button, and voila, it’s now ingrained! Simple, really!
That also freed up that complication spot for something just as useful — showing my sleep score, which I’ve become obsessed with checking.
Even if you’re a button ninja, it’s well worth checking out our updated guide, which might prompt you to make your own changes — like setting the Ultra’s Action button to do something else, such as:
Starting a workout
Dropping a compass waypoint
Controlling the flashlight
Recording a voice memo
Translating a foreign language
Running a custom Siri Shortcut (a single function or a menu for multiple options). You can even set up location-based actions.
As you can see, you can make your Apple Watch even more befuddling! The possibilities are endless!
Also in today’s newsletter:
Apple gives, and Apple takes away. With the pending launch of the Apple Creator Studio bundle, you no longer get generous three-month tryouts of Final Cut Pro or Logic Pro (which could be cleverly gamed — see the post). Time to visit your local Apple Store and get AirDropping (just kidding).
AirTags came to the rescue again the other day when my car keys went walkies. Seriously, can you actually have too many?
I read somewhere that one of the best upgrades to your TV is reactive backlighting, which somehow makes movie-watching even more immersive. 🤷 The same is true for your Mac’s monitor, and this roundup of amazingly well-lit setups will have you drooling like a murderous xenomorph.
We got lots of comments on yesterday’s poll about the retro tech revival. Sorry for disparaging boomers — it was just a joke! I should have used a smiley face! Talking of, do you immediately get the top X post today? See below.
Today’s the day in Apple history that the Mac Plus launched — the best of the early Macs. I still have mine!
— Leander Kahney, EIC.
A message from Wispr Flow
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A message from the Cult of Mac Deals team
A message from the Cult of Mac Deals team
Cult of Mac’s buyback program
Tweets of the day
Wallpaper of the day
One more thing ...
I was on one of my fruitarian diets. I had just come back from the apple farm. It sounded fun, spirited and not intimidating. “Apple” took the edge off the word “computer.” Plus, it would get us ahead of Atari in the phone book.
Today’s poll
Be truthful: Are you completely familiar with Apple Watch buttons?
Results from yesterday’s poll: Any fans of the retro tech revival?
Best reader comments
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