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.
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.
Related Stories
Apple this week announced that watchOS 9 will allow users to make VoIP calls directly from an Apple Watch via supported third-party apps.
During its WWDC 2022 keynote, Apple said that users will be able to start, end, or mute VoIP calls from the Apple Watch in supported apps like Webex. This feature will allow Apple Watch users to answer VoIP calls right from their wrist, and it is made...
A new rumor suggests that Apple's upcoming Apple Watch "Pro" will not be compatible with existing Apple Watch bands, meaning customers who opt for the new high-end Apple Watch will also be required to purchase new bands rather than using bands they may already have. Apple is widely expected to announce a new high-end Apple Watch "Pro" during its upcoming "Far Out" event on Wednesday,...
Since the Apple Watch launched in 2015, Apple has released numerous watch bands in a variety of colors and materials. In fact, more than 620 official Apple Watch bands have been released, and there is a beautiful iPhone app for browsing through them all.
Bandbreite is an app that provides comprehensive information about every official Apple Watch band ever released, including details such as ...
One of the key features of Apple's latest iPad Pro models is not accessible on the device by default, it has emerged. The iPad Pro now supports ProRes video recording for the first time thanks to the M2 chip, but there is as yet no way to actually record ProRes video in Apple's native Camera app. Instead, users who want to record ProRes video must turn to third-party apps that have been...
It's the official launch day for Apple's latest and greatest product, the Apple Watch Ultra. We picked up one of the new watches to check out the features and compare it with the Apple Watch Series 8 to see if it's worth the upgrade.
Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. The Apple Watch Ultra is Apple's largest watch to date, measuring in at 49mm, a full 4mm over the...
Tuesday September 6, 2022 9:18 am PDT by
Sami FathiNew renders of the upcoming Apple Watch Pro have given us the best look yet at what's expected to become the newest high-end Apple Watch, featuring an all-new design, a larger and flat display, and a new physical button.
The new renders, created by concept designer Ian Zelbo in collaboration with Parker Ortolani, are based on CAD renders of the Apple Watch Pro shared yesterday. Until...
Apple today discontinued the premium Apple Watch Edition line, eight years after its introduction.
The change took place upon the announcement of the Apple Watch Series 8 and Apple Watch Ultra at Apple's "Far out" event. Apple Watch Series 7 Edition models are no longer available and there is no Apple Watch Series 8 Edition. Apple continues to offer the Apple Watch Hermès line as a luxury...
For this week's giveaway, we've teamed up with BluShark to offer MacRumors readers a chance to win one of Apple's new Apple Watch Series 8 models, plus a matching BluShark Apple Watch band to go along with it.
BluShark offers a wide selection of Apple Watch bands in materials ranging from leather, to canvas, to AlphaPremier and more. There are all kinds of colors and materials to choose...
Popular Stories
Last week was jam-packed with early Black Friday deals, and now that the shopping holiday is right around the corner, we're going back through all of the best sales you might have missed over the past week and updating as prices change and new deals arrive. As with all holiday shopping, there's no guarantee that better prices won't come around later in the season, but if you want to shop early,...
Cellular carriers have always offered big savings on the newest iPhone models during the holidays, and Black Friday 2022 is no different. Right now we're tracking notable offers on the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro devices from AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile. For even more savings, keep an eye on older models like the iPhone 13.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors....
Although we've been tracking Black Friday deals for a few weeks now, the shopping holiday is officially kicking off this week and we're highlighting the best sales for each of Apple's product lines. In this article, you'll find the best Black Friday sales on AirPods 2, AirPods 3, AirPods Pro, AirPods Pro 2, and AirPods Max.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors....
Retailers have been waiting longer and longer to reveal their specific plans for the week of Black Friday, now that the shopping event begins as early as October and most companies focus on "early Black Friday" deals first. Today, we've finally got more information from Walmart and all the official Black Friday discounts you can expect to shop this week.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner ...
Following in the footsteps of Target and Walmart, Best Buy this week detailed its plans for the Black Friday shopping holiday and its schedule looks a lot like other retailers. In terms of sales, Best Buy has the expected list of TVs, appliances, video games, computers, streaming devices, and more.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Best Buy. When you click a link and make a...
We're tracking all of the best Apple product discounts for Black Friday this week, and the Apple Watch always makes a great gift around the holiday season, so you're guaranteed to find solid discounts right now. In this article, you'll discover the best Black Friday sales on Apple Watch Series 8, Apple Watch SE, and Apple Watch Ultra.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these...
Earlier this year, Apple launched a feature allowing residents of participating U.S. states to add their driver's license or state ID to the Wallet app on the iPhone and Apple Watch, providing a convenient and contactless way to display proof of identity or age.
As we wait for IDs in the Wallet app to expand to additional U.S. states, here is everything you need to know about how the feature ...
Top Rated Comments
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
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?
?