Tag Archives: apple watch edition

IK Multimedia Releases UltraTuner for Apple Watch



IKs UltraTuner for Apple WatchIK Multimedia has released the latest version of their UltraTuner app for iPhone. It is now compatible with the Apple Watch. UltraTuner allows musicians to accurately tune their instruments straight from their wrist. That makes it even easier for musicians to keep their instruments in tune on stage, in the studio, or anywhere in between.

The newest version of the UltraTuner app can now be paired with the Apple Watch when it is installed on an iPhone with the most recent OS. Musicians can view the tuning information on their Apple Watch in 2 operational modes: UltraTuner’s classic graduated LED “STAGE mode”, and a simple “NOTE mode”, customized for the Apple Watch display.

“STAGE mode” provides a bright, highly visible, display with two large LED-like wing arrays that light up in progressive amounts according to whether the note played is flat or sharp. The tuning indicator will turn a bright neon green when the note is in tune.

“NOTE mode” shows the musical note letter that is being played, with arrows below to indicate whether the note is flat or sharp. It also will turn a bright neon green when the note is in tune.

Beyond the Apple Watch enhancement, the Ultra Tuner app can run on both iPhone or iPod touch. It can receive an audio signal through the built-in microphone or an audio interface (like IK’s iRig HD, iRig 2, or iRig PRO). Its note-detection engine delivers accuracy down to +/- 1/100 of a cent, making it easy for precision tuning and calibration of all instruments.

The newest version of UltraTuner, that is now compatible with Apple Watch, is available from the App Store for $/€4.99 Those who already own the UltraTuner for iPhone app will receive a free update of UltraTuner for Apple Watch.


Is the Apple Watch Edition Worth the $10K Investment?



The Apple Waapple watch editiontch launch day is rapidly approaching. While Apple’s entire smartwatch lineup is impressive, the most spectacular offering is the gold Apple Watch Edition. Ever since the initial announcement back in September, Apple fans worldwide have been speculating about one thing— how much will this luxury smartwatch cost? With a real gold frame and speciality gold-accented bands, we all knew the Edition was going to cost a fortune, and now we know the exact cost: a base price of $10,000, with the most expensive watch/band combination rounding out the lineup at a whopping $17,000.

While it’s safe to predict that the majority of Apple’s watch sales will come from the basic $349 Sport version and to a lesser extent the $549 stainless steel version, there will inevitably be a small percentage of society’s elite who will snag an Edition without hesitation. While most of us aren’t uber-famous socialites with millions to blow, there is something to be said about the value of investing in a precious heirloom watch that can be passed down through the generations. While at first glance the idea of spending $10,000 or more on a luxury Rolex may sound crazy, at least a Rolex will retain— and possibly increase— it’s value over time. With a battery replacement and/or tune-up every few years, that expensive Rolex will work just as well 10 years later as it did when it was first purchased, making it a worthwhile investment for those willing to take the plunge.

Even though they have the $10K price tag in common, there is a fundamental difference between a Rolex and an Apple Watch Edition. The Apple Watch is not merely a designer watch, it’s technology product, and the technology scene is constantly changing. Like an smartphone or tablet, a smartwatch is doomed by design to become outdated after a few years, meaning that those who want to enjoy the latest and greatest features have no choice but to upgrade or be left in the dust. It’s difficult for the average person to comprehend dishing out $10K for a watch that will only remain relevant for a year or two– you could buy 3 years’ worth of Apple Watch Sports for that price!

Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not suggesting that you boycott the entire Apple Watch lineup. The good thing about Apple’s watch strategy is that the specs and features are virtually identical across all versions of the Apple Watch. No matter which version you get, you’ll be able to enjoy health monitoring, GPS, Siri, dictation, heartbeat-sending, texting, and everything else the Apple Watch has to offer. Yes, the Edition looks nicer, but for a third of the price you can get all the same features in the $349 Sport version.

The bottom line is, unless you’re drowning in piles of money, the Apple Watch Edition simply isn’t worth the $10K price tag. You’re much better off buying the Sport or stainless steel version and saving hundreds of dollars than paying a fortune for the same thing plus a few ounces of gold.