This was a big week in the Mac world—Apple finally revealed its full launch plans for the Apple Watch, plus announced a new MacBook, refreshed the MacBook Air and 13-inch Retina MacBook Pro. ResearchKit is already helping medical researchers recruit new patients into their studies. And HBO Now is about to launch, bringing a standalone streaming service of HBO’s entire catalog to Apple devices like the cheaper-than-ever Apple TV.
Whew. Kind of a lot.
Tim Cook does a little recap at the end of every Apple special event, so we’re going to borrow a page from his playbook here. This list contains every story we wrote about this week’s news—perfect for catching up on anything you may have missed. (Have a great weekend!)
AppleApple Watch
Hands on: Why trying an Apple Watch made me want to buy one
As luxe as the materials are, my hands-on demo time with the solid-gold Apple Watch Edition made me confident that I can go with the entry-level Apple Watch Sport and be just as happy.
FAQ: Everything you need to know about the Apple Watch
Don’t worry, southpaws, Apple hasn’t forsaken you. The Apple Watch works just fine for lefties, because the display rotates.
Which Watch? How to pick the Apple Watch that’s right for you
Don’t pick your favorite band until you’ve measured your wrist: Some bands are limited to one case size, and others only cover a limited range.
How apps like Instagram and Uber will work on Apple Watch
Watch apps take advantage of Glances, where you swipe up to view information, and actionable notifications, which work similarly to notifications in iOS.
Apple Watch is flirting with feature bloat, putting sublime simplicity at risk
I suspect about 98 percent of all Android users will tell you they never use their smartwatch’s heart rate feature. For this reason alone, Apple has diminished its essential brand promise by including this frivolous, me-too feature as well. It’s noise, not utility.
Lumoid will rent the Apple Watch starting at $45 a week
No, not the gold one.
Apple Watch’s killer feature just may be telling time
Unlike most smartwatches out there, Apple built a watch and worked backward. Everywhere you go, time is never more than a touch away.
Taking Apple Watch for a run? Don’t forget your iPhone
Apps can’t tap into the data your Watch collects without the iPhone, and the Watch doesn’t have GPS to give you a complete picture of your actual running route.
News: Apple Watch starts at $349 for 38mm Sport, while gold Edition model starts at $10K
Podcast: Hands-on impressions of the Apple Watch and new MacBook
Video: The 3 biggest takeaways from Apple’s event
Video: All the Apple Watch info from today’s keynote in 3 minutes
Video: Reality check—Apple Watch vs. Pebble Time (vs. no smartwatch at all)
Apple Watch will fight obsolescence with a replaceable battery
Watch out: The first wave of Apple Watch accessories are announced
With Apple Watch en route, Apple Stores give Jawbone and Nike Fuelband the boot
An opinion too far: Asking the wrong people about the Apple Watch, by The Macalope
MacBook
12-inch MacBook hands-on: Great keyboard and trackpad, but only one port
Some may find it a struggle to adapt (no pun intended) to a single-port lifestyle, but if that doesn’t sound like a big deal, your reward is a slick, golden laptop that only weighs two itty-bitty pounds.
Will your new MacBook crash to the ground without MagSafe? (Yes.)
I recommend retraining your toddlers now.
The MacBook’s new trackpad will change the way you click
Using the new Force Touch trackpad messes with your head, but in a good way. I may be cautious when it comes to the keyboard, but I’m in love with the new trackpad.
5 things the MacBook needs in the next generation
(And I’ll skip such obvious gimmes like another USB-C port, faster processor, and lower price.)
The new MacBook is the iPad’s spirit animal, ports and all
People have been yelling for Apple to add a USB port or memory card slot for as long as its been selling its tablet, but as the iPad has evolved it’s become clear that most people don’t really need those things.
Thunderbolted: USB-C is our new connection overlord. Get used to it.
USB-C would seem to have a lot to offer, but first we have to get over the hump of newness.
Slideshow: 5 everyday technologies Apple killed in the 12-inch MacBook
News: Apple’s radical 12-inch MacBook is the slimmest, lightest MacBook ever
iFixit uncovers the Force Touch trackpad in the 2015 13-inch Retina MacBook Pro
LaCie announces USB Type-C mobile drives to match Apple’s 12-inch MacBook
ResearchKit
Stanford’s ResearchKit app gained more users in 24 hours than most medical studies find in a year
First medical apps built with Apple’s ResearchKit won’t share data for commercial gain
Apple updates developer guidelines for medical research apps
Elsewhere
HBO announces HBO Now standalone streaming service with discounted Apple TV
For three months, Apple TV will be the only non-pay TV provider to offer the service, an HBO representative said in an email. And HBO Now will be exclusive to Apple devices—Apple TV, the iPad, and the iPhone—at launch.
Opinion: Apple’s Health app really needs a redesign
There is a huge disconnect between the simple, intuitive interface of the Apple Watch and the dry, archaic look of the Health app.
Author: Susie Ochs, Contributor
Susie has been covering Apple since 2006, and when she isn't glued to her MacBook Air and iPhone, you can find her building sand castles at the beach or snowboarding in the mountains.