Wristcam Bringing Video Calling Feature to Apple Watch

The camera-equipped Wristcam accessory for the Apple Watch is being updated with FaceTime-like video calling, the company announced today.


For those unfamiliar with Wristcam, it is an Apple Watch band that adds an 8-megapixel camera and a two-megapixel selfie camera to your wrist, with the camera able to hold up to 2000 photos or an hour of video. The device connects to the Apple Watch over WiFi or Bluetooth, and it enables hands-free recording.

With the new video calling feature, Wristcam owners will be able to make calls to friends and family right from their wrists. On its own, the Apple Watch supports voice calls and audio FaceTime calls, but as it has no built-in camera, there is no native video calling functionality.

Using the Wristcam app, Wristcam offers watch-to-watch calling with other Wristcam users, or Watch-to-iPhone calling. Note that this is not ‌FaceTime‌ or another native video calling feature -- both parties must have the Wristcam app.

wristcam video
Video calling is available as of today, but Wristcam's website says that users must request "early access" to use the feature. Wristcam is also gaining a new WristcamOS SDK, which will open up the device's camera capabilities to App Store developers.

We went hands-on with Wristcam last year, and found that it's quite bulky for an Apple Watch band, but it can come in handy if you need a hands-free camera option. Wristcam can be purchased from the Wristcam website for $299.

Popular Stories

Apple Logo Zoomed

Tim Cook Teases Plans for Apple's Upcoming 50th Anniversary

Thursday February 5, 2026 12:54 pm PST by
Apple turns 50 this year, and its CEO Tim Cook has promised to celebrate the milestone. The big day falls on April 1, 2026. "I've been unusually reflective lately about Apple because we have been working on what do we do to mark this moment," Cook told employees today, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. "When you really stop and pause and think about the last 50 years, it makes your heart ...
wwdc sans text feature

Apple Rumored to Announce New Product on February 19

Thursday February 5, 2026 12:22 pm PST by
Apple plans to announce the iPhone 17e on Thursday, February 19, according to Macwelt, the German equivalent of Macworld. The report, citing industry sources, is available in English on Macworld. Apple announced the iPhone 16e on Wednesday, February 19 last year, so the iPhone 17e would be unveiled exactly one year later if this rumor is accurate. It is quite uncommon for Apple to unveil...
Finder Siri Feature

Why Apple's iOS 26.4 Siri Upgrade Will Be Bigger Than Originally Promised

Friday February 6, 2026 3:06 pm PST by
In the iOS 26.4 update that's coming this spring, Apple will introduce a new version of Siri that's going to overhaul how we interact with the personal assistant and what it's able to do. The iOS 26.4 version of Siri won't work like ChatGPT or Claude, but it will rely on large language models (LLMs) and has been updated from the ground up. Upgraded Architecture The next-generation...
iOS 26

iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 Will Add These New Features to Your iPhone

Tuesday February 3, 2026 7:47 am PST by
While the iOS 26.3 Release Candidate is now available ahead of a public release, the first iOS 26.4 beta is likely still at least a week away. Following beta testing, iOS 26.4 will likely be released to the general public in March or April. Below, we have recapped known or rumored iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 features so far. iOS 26.3 iPhone to Android Transfer Tool iOS 26.3 makes it easier...
maxresdefault

Apple Shows Off a Key Reason to Upgrade to the iPhone 17

Saturday February 7, 2026 9:26 am PST by
Apple today shared an ad that shows how the upgraded Center Stage front camera on the latest iPhones improves the process of taking a group selfie. "Watch how the new front facing camera on iPhone 17 Pro takes group selfies that automatically expand and rotate as more people come into frame," says Apple. While the ad is focused on the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max, the regular iPhone...

Top Rated Comments

kirbyrun Avatar
50 months ago
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
DinkThifferent Avatar
50 months ago
Why… why would you want to make a video call from your wrist?
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
CaptMarvel Avatar
50 months ago

That's the childhood dream isn't it? ?



Honestly though I'm not a fan of video calls, text me first, call me if it's an emergency, video call me never (alright, only after we have agreed on a video call). I can't really think of a scenario where a video call over my Apple Watch would be necessary or even "nice to have".

P.S. the band is ugly and looks like it would be uncomfortable especially when you wear long sleeves
Came here looking for one Inspector Gadget reference. Nostalgia memory in tact!
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
3224932 Avatar
50 months ago
Holding your wrist up to make a video call feels awkward, and it makes your arm tired. I don’t even like using the watch for calls, because I have to hold it close to my ear to hear it well - especially in loud environments.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
No5tromo Avatar
50 months ago
That's the childhood dream isn't it? ?



Honestly though I'm not a fan of video calls, text me first, call me if it's an emergency, video call me never (alright, only after we have agreed on a video call). I can't really think of a scenario where a video call over my Apple Watch would be necessary or even "nice to have".

P.S. the band is ugly and looks like it would be uncomfortable especially when you wear long sleeves
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Michael Scrip Avatar
50 months ago

Holding your wrist up to make a video call feels awkward, and it makes your arm tired. I don’t even like using the watch for calls, because I have to hold it close to my ear to hear it well - especially in loud environments.
Exactly.

At least with a phone you can set it down and prop it up on something.

Oh... and both parties have to use the WristCam app. Yikes.

Is anyone taking bets on how long this product (or company) will be around?

?
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)