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'Reserve Strap' Plans to Charge the Apple Watch on the Wrist

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macrumors bot
Original poster
Apr 12, 2001
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Following an afternoon of discussion on the recharge rate and battery life of the Apple Watch, third-party developers Lane Musgrave and John Arrow today revealed the "Reserve Strap", which will allow users to charge their Apple Watch while wearing it on their wrist.

The device consists of a silicone band with embedded lithium polymer cells and an inductive charging cradle that will hold the Apple Watch, resulting in a 125 percent battery life increase over the basic life of the Apple Watch, according to the company.

Screenshot-189-800x418.png
The Reserve Band will charge the Watch "similar to the new MagSafe wall charger for the Apple Watch", thanks to a few batteries embedded within the device using magnetic inductive charging. Musgrave notes that while they "don't have hard numbers yet", their current testing leaves them to believe their claim to a 125 percent increase in battery is close to the mark.

The case looks slickly designed, especially considering the amount of power the two are saying hides within the silicone band, but perhaps the biggest cause for concern lies in the possibility for obstruction of the Apple Watch's heart rate sensor.

Recent news only underlines the sensor's extreme importance in making contact with a user's skin, but Musgrave remains optimistic that their product will meet all the standard expectations when using the Apple Watch in conjunction with their new device.

​
Since we haven't been able to test anything on the actual device, it's really hard to say whether we'll be able to prevent interference with the sensors on the back. We won't be able to know for sure until we're able to test on the real thing but it's certainly a priority for our product.
Click to expand...
Although it's not yet up and running, a Kickstarter is planned for the Reserve Strap. Those interested in pre-ordering the accessory now can do so for $249.99 from Reserve Strap's official website, though no official release date has been set. Musgrave and Arrow reiterate on their website that the first shipment of bands will be "extremely limited" due to the funding of the nascent project coming entirely out of their own pockets.

Article Link: 'Reserve Strap' Plans to Charge the Apple Watch on the Wrist
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2015/03/06/reserve-strap-charge-wrist/
Goftrey

Goftrey

macrumors 68000
May 20, 2011
1,853
75
Wales, UK
It's an elegant solution to what is inevitably going to be many people's #1 complaint.

But at $250 this thing is going absolutely nowhere.
 
MrXiro

MrXiro

macrumors 68040
Nov 2, 2007
3,850
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Los Angeles
willimholte said:
This also assumes the watch will function as normal when it's on a charger.
Click to expand...

On my Fitbit Surge when it's plugged in the HRM turns off... I have a feeling this thing is just going to be vaporware.

And for that price I could buy a Pebble Time and still have $50 bucks left over to wear when my Apple watch goes dead. :p
 
O

odds

macrumors 6502
Aug 7, 2014
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Los Angeles
I don't often comment but this is just plain sad. The Watch isn't even out yet and this company is already trying to convince potential Watch owners that the battery life will be unacceptable. Give me a break... I hope they don't reach their goal simply because their product appeals to people's pessimism and fear.
 
applepuree

applepuree

macrumors 6502
Aug 15, 2014
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Sounds like they are trying to find a way to fund their own Gold edition to me ;)

I will pass on this one.
 
mrgraff

mrgraff

macrumors 65816
Apr 18, 2010
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Albuquerque
A $249 accessory for a $349 watch...

At that price, you might as well buy another watch, and swap them out each day while the other is charging.
 
T

troop231

macrumors 603
Jan 20, 2010
5,826
560
As I stated in another thread about this, they better be damn sure they can replicate the frequency and any digital handshake Apple does with the stock inductive charger.
 
PowerBook-G5

PowerBook-G5

macrumors 65816
Jul 30, 2013
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Those are pretty bold claims for a product that hasn't been tested on an actual Apple Watch. Unless one of those "Samsung" smart watches went missing around Cupertino :p

EDIT: So I guess you have to remove this band in order to charge the actual watch. /fail.

Also, does the band charge using Apple's Watch charger or a micro USB thingy? If micro USB, //fail.
 
Last edited:
splogue

splogue

macrumors demi-god
Aug 1, 2008
351
225
Cary, NC
mrgraff said:
A $249 accessory for a $349 watch...

At that price, you might as well buy another watch, and swap them out each day while the other is charging.
Click to expand...

It is just crazy-high, especially for something that doesn't even exist. And, you are entirely correct. If battery life really does turn out to be this big of a problem (and my bet is it won't), you could buy two sport watches and keep one at the office fully charged. At the end of the day, when it is depleted, put it on its charger (the one that came with the watch), and put on your "home" watch.

This would only cost you $100 more than the battery strap thing that doesn't exist and may not ever work correctly. And you would have two watches, and two chargers for them.

Nobody who thinks this through will buy one. Moreover, I'm very certain that after Monday's Keynote, most people will no longer think this is necessary. Or at least be so certain this will be a problem that they donate money toward these guys in the hope that it will someday work.

I love the idea. I love how it looks. I suspect it will be glitchy. And, it is way, way too expensive for what it does. Even Apple would have difficulty selling this, and these guys aren't Apple.

And, with that, I'm out.

Sean
 
F

FelixAng

macrumors regular
Jul 11, 2013
227
18
Hong Kong
It's FUGLY! $249 US is a punchline for the first LOL for Apple Watch.

One ideal solution for Apple would be a backplate that absorbs body heat to power the device. Sure it might not always be sufficient, but at least it would have some sustainability.
 
splogue

splogue

macrumors demi-god
Aug 1, 2008
351
225
Cary, NC
FelixAng said:
It's FUGLY! $249 US is a punchline for the first LOL for Apple Watch.

One ideal solution for Apple would be a backplate that absorbs body heat to power the device. Sure it might not always be sufficient, but at least it would have some sustainability.
Click to expand...

That would probably be glitchy too (I truly believe anything between the skin and the sensor will cause all sorts of trouble, including random lock-ups). But, at least it would be way cool.

If I had one of those? I'd be telling everyone I encountered that my watch is powered by body heat. Now that is worth something!

Sean
 
T

technosix

macrumors 6502a
Jan 13, 2015
929
13
West Coast USA
mrgraff said:
A $249 accessory for a $349 watch...

At that price, you might as well buy another watch, and swap them out each day while the other is charging.
Click to expand...

Funny you should mention that. A couple of guys at work have already decided that's what they're doing. Buy 2 and alternate days.

Me? I'm relaxed and happily waiting for the second gen model. I have no desire for any Smartwatch at this time. I'd rather let others be the test group while I enjoy the stories.

History proves Apple is very good at improving and by then the app landscape will contain far more choices as well.
 
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