How do you set up third-party messaging services on your Mac? Like this!

While many Mac owners primarily use Messages on macOS to chat with iMessage and even sometimes SMS, the app is capable of connecting to more services. You can link your Google, Yahoo, and AOL accounts to Messages and chat with your friends using the messaging systems built by those companies. Here's how you do it.

How to set up a third-party message service in Messages

1. Open Messages.
2. Open Preferences.

3. Click the Accounts tab.

   

4. Hit the Add button. (Looks like a '+').

5. Choose the type of account you want to set up.

   

6. Hit Continue.

7. Enter account credentials.

   

8. Choose which apps will be able to use the account, making sure the Messages is checked.

9. Hit Done.

   

How to set up your Jabber account in Messages

If you have an account with the Jabber messaging service, you can use it with Messages just as you would any other account. However, adding it to Messages requires a couple additional steps compared to a standard messaging account.

1. Open Messages.
2. Open Preferences.

3. Click the Accounts tab.

   

4. Hit the Add button. (Looks like a '+').

5. Choose Other Messages Account.

   

6. Hit Continue.

7. Click the drop-down menu next to Account Type and select Jabber.

   

8. Enter your username and password.

9. If necessary, enter your server and port information.

10. Hit Sign In.

    

How to set up your AIM account in Messages

You can set up an AOL Instant Messenger account independent of your standard AOL account if you so choose.

1. Open Messages.
2. Open Preferences.

3. Click the Accounts tab.

   

4. Hit the Add button. (Looks like a '+').

5. Choose Other Messages Account.

   

6. Hit Continue.

7. Click the drop-down menu next to Account Type and select AIM.

   

8. Enter your username and password.

9. Hit Sign In.

   

How to choose a default IM application

1. Open Messages.
2. Open Preferences.

3. Next to Default IM application, click the drop-down menu and select your application of choice.

   

Control which apps can refresh in the background on your iPhone or iPad.

Background refresh is part of what allows any app for iPhone or iPad to appear to be multitasking all the time. The truth is, they're really multitasking "just in time" by updating in the background whenever they have the opportunity — or right before they figure you'll be launching them.

In spite of how efficient Apple has tried to make background refresh, some apps still manage to consumer a ton of power and resources. Yes, looking at Facebook so hard... Luckily, if either your battery life or your data limit is a concern, you can turn off background refresh all together — or just for those apps you don't consider that important.

• How to turn off Background App Refresh on iPhone or iPad
• How to turn off Background App Refresh for individual apps on iPhone and iPad

How to turn off Background App Refresh on iPhone or iPad

1. Launch the Settings app from your Home screen.

2. Tap on General.

   

3. Tap Background App Refresh.

4. Toggle Background App Refresh to off. The switch will become grayed-out when toggled off.

   

How to turn off Background App Refresh for individual apps on iPhone and iPad

The master switch handles Background App Refresh for all apps at the same time. But what if you want to turn it off for some apps only? You can do that by toggling off the switches for each individual app. Here's how to do that/

1. Launch the Settings app from your Home screen.

2. Tap on General.

   

3. Tap Background App Refresh.

4. Toggle Background App Refresh switch to the right of the app for which you wish to disable it to off. The switch will become grayed-out when toggled off.

   

That's it for Background App Refresh. If you ever want to turn it back on, simply go back and toggle the switches to on.

If your Apple Watch won't unlock your Mac, here are some fixes you can try!

When Auto Unlock works, it's magical. You open or approach your Mac while wearing your Apple Watch and, instead of having to type in your — hopefully long, strong — password, it just logs you in. No fuss. No muss. But when it's not working — anger, frustration, blame, recriminations, and having to type in that — hopefully long, strong — password. So what can you do when Auto Unlock doesn't work?

Check your sets

It's embarrassing, but it happens. Sometimes even though you're sure you set up auto unlock right, something may be wrong. And there's a lot of possibilities here:

1. Passcode set up and entered on your Apple Watch.
2. Login password set up on your Mac.
3. Two-factor authentication set up on your Apple ID.
4. Auto Unlock enabled in System Preferences on your Mac.

Read — and re-read — how to set up auto unlock on your Apple Watch and Mac

If you find a switch you forgot to flip, great! If not, let's keep going!

Reset the radios

Auto unlock requires Bluetooth 4.2 and Wi-Fi to be up and running on both your Apple Watch and Mac in order to work. If one or both radios have been turned off on one or both devices, or somehow stopped responding, Auto Unlock will likewise stop working. Cycling them can sometimes jump start everything back into action.

On your Apple Watch:

1. Swipe up from the watch face to bring up control center.
2. Tap the Airplane Mode button to turn all radios off. (It'll turn yellow when they're off.)
3. Tap the Airplane Mode button to turn all the radios back on. (It'll go back to black and gray when they're on.)

On your Mac:

1. Click on the Bluetooth icon in the menubar.
2. Click on Turn Bluetooth Off.
3. Click on the Bluetooth icon in the menubar again.
4. Click on Turn Bluetooth On.
5. Click on the Wi-Fi icon in the menubar.
6. Click on Turn Wi-Fi Off.
7. Click on the Wi-Fi icon in the menubar again.
8. Click on Turn Wi-Fi On.

Once you're done, try auto unlock again. If it works, great. If not, keep reading.

Reboot everything

The next thing to try is a hard reset. Make all the "reboot Windows" jokes you want but it's a cliche for a reason!

On your Apple Watch:

1. Press an hold the Digital Crown and Side button at the same time.
2. Keep holding them down until you see the Apple logo.

On your Mac:

1. Click on the  button on the menubar.
2. Click on Restart...

Once you've rebooted, auto unlock will be temporarily disabled. Enter your password to re-enable it. Then let you Mac sleep and try auto unlock again.

Check for updates!

Apple's Bluetooth and Wi-Fi stacks—the set of software that controls the radios—aren't without occasional quirks. Sometimes, new versions of watchOS or macOS introduce compatibility problems; other times, they fix them. If you're having Bluetooth or Wi-Fi connectivity problems, you're better off updating than not. If it's already broken, the update is your chance for a fix.

On your iPhone:

1. Launch the Watch app on your iPhone.
2. Tap on the My Watch tab at the bottom.
3. Tap on General.
4. Tap on Software Update.
5. If there's an update available, tap to install it.

On your Mac:

1. Launch the Mac App Store.
2. Click on the Updates tab, top left.
3. If there's a macOS software update available, click to install it.

Once you're done updating, try to use auto unlock again — after you've logged in following reboot to re-enable it! If it works, awesome. If not, there's even more to try!

Re-pair your Apple Watch

Re-pairing your Apple Watch is a huge pain, but if something has gone wrong with the connection between your iPhone and Apple Watch, secure information won't be transmitted properly, and that will stop auto-unlock dead.

1. Launch the Watch app on your iPhone.
2. Tap on the My Watch tab at the bottom.
3. Tap on [Name]'s Apple Watch at the top.
4. Tap on the Info button on the right. (Looks like an i.)
5. Tap on Unpair Apple Watch.

Once your Apple Watch has been unpaired, repeat the pairing process, restoring from your most recent backup. You'll have to re-enable Auto Unlock in your Mac's System Preferences again, but once that's done, auto unlock should be back up and running. If not, you have one option left...

Contact Apple

Sometimes a problem really is a problem. Like any electronics, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi radios and the various connections to them can have problems. If you have AppleCare+, don't walk, run to your local Apple Store to get it looked at.

Not a fan of cases but don't want your new iPhone 7 Plus getting scratched up in your pocket? If so, check out Story Leather's belt clip holster will keep your phone safely secured to your hip and let you use it without a case the rest of the time. Right now you can pick one up for $34.95, a savings of $25.

How do I change my Home button back to normal? Don't worry; it's easy!

iOS 10 brought a ton of changes with its release, one of the biggest being the change in the Home button's behavior. You can now unlock your iPhone or iPad with Touch ID, just by resting your thumb or finger on the Home button (the Lock screen must be awake). If you don't like it, you can turn it off! You can also change the intensity of the Home button's click and change the speed for double- and triple-clicks. Here's how!

• How to disable Rest Finger to Open
• How to change the click speed of the Home Button
• How to change the Home Button's click intensity

How to disable Rest Finger to Open

If your Lock screen is awake and you rest your thumb or finger on the Home button, your iPhone or iPad will automagically unlock. However, if you disable the option, you'll have to rest your finger, then press the Home button.

If you go straight from a sleeping Lock screen, rest your finger for a second and press the Home button, it'll unlock, whether you have Rest Finger to Open enabled or not.

1. Launch Settings from your Home screen.
2. Tap General.

3. Tap Accessibility.

   

4. Tap Home Button.

5. Tap the switch next to Rest Finger to Open.

   

How to change the click speed of the Home Button

If you have mobility or motor impairments and can't click the Home button as quickly as the default setting, you can change it so that you can double- or triple-click comfortably. Here's how:

1. Launch Settings from your Home screen.
2. Tap General.

3. Tap Accessibility.

   

4. Tap Home Button.

5. Tap Default, Slow, or Slowest to set the click speed.

   

How to change the Home Button's click intensity

If you have an iPhone 7 or iPhone 7 Plus, you can change the "click" intensity of your Home button, since the new Home button isn't really a button at all. The "click" you feel is actually vibration, and you can alter it to suit your needs, but only on iPhone 7 or iPhone 7 Plus.

1. Launch Settings from your Home screen.
2. Tap General.

3. Tap Home Button.

   

4. Tap 1, 2, or 3. You can press the Home button each time to test how each setting feels.

5. Tap Done in the top right corner when you're satisfied with the intensity.

   

Questions?

Got a question about how to use the Home Button? Let us know in the comments below!

The aluminum Apple Watch Series 2 is Apple's best smartwatch: It's not only a great fitness tracker and portable communicator, but improved battery life, a faster processor, and GPS may appeal to upgraders.

Why the aluminum Apple Watch Series 2 is the best

Speedy, swimproof, and stylish.

The Apple Watch has only been around for 18 months, but it's already spawned several lines and styles — so much so that it can be a little tricky to find the one that's right for you and your lifestyle. There are the casing styles: aluminum, steel, and ceramic; the custom band and watch face stylings in Hermès and Nike; the feature differences between Series 1 and 2; bundled band options; and, of course, watch sizing. You could choose any of these options and be well-suited, but I think the aluminum Apple Watch Series 2 is the best watch for most people buying their first smartwatch, as well as those upgrading from a Series 0 Apple Watch.

On the Series 2 side, the aluminum version is the least expensive entry point of the three models, but you're not losing many features by opting to spend $180 less. You won't get the $549/599 Apple Watch's superior sapphire screen or steel casing, but the Ion-X glass on the aluminum model should be enough protection for most people. (And, if you're really worried about the durability of your screen, you always spend $49 for AppleCare+, instead.) It also offers the most variety in color styling: The aluminum Series 2 comes in silver, space grey, gold, or rose gold, and you can swap out your band lugs if you'd prefer to use a band traditionally attached to a stainless steel Apple Watch.

Though Apple's entry-level Series 1 aluminum watch includes the Series 2's processor improvements at $100 less, it's not our top pick primarily because it lacks the Series 2's larger battery, though first-time buyers and upgraders may also miss out on the lack of GPS, swim-proofing, a slightly louder speaker, and a larger array of starting band and casing combinations (Series 1 is limited to the aluminum 38mm and 42mm casings and Sport Band).

As the latest and greatest model, the Series 2 Apple Watch provides the best experience today without a huge dent in their pocketbook, and it should last at least as long — if not longer — than the Series 0's current 18+ month lifespan. It's also a great investment for current Series 0 Apple Watch owners who want a very noticeable bump in battery life and processor speed, or those who wanted built-in GPS on their smartwatch. During our review, we found the 38mm aluminum Apple Watch Series 2 far outlasting its Series 0 cousin, going a full day (and then some) after logging multiple workouts and GPS-dependent walks.

If you're trying to decide between the 38mm and 42mm, the bigger version features a bigger screen and larger battery, but it also comes at a $30 price increase and larger footprint on your wrist. After an informal Twitter survey asking followers their favorite aspects of each size, 38mm owners reported liking it for its "subtle," "light" frame; it fits nicely on smaller-wristed folks — women and men alike — and "doesn't feel bulky under dress shirts" or jackets. 42mm owners who prefer the larger size praised it for its "extra battery life," "larger tap targets" and "legibility," and more "proportional" size for those with larger wrists.

Series 2 still won't last you a full day of exercise and sleep-tracking, but it's edging ever closer — and unless you're dead-set on holding out for Series 3 in 2017 or 2018, you'll find that the Series 2 Apple Watch has plenty of great features in the meantime to occupy your day-to-day life.

Conclusion

For most people, first time buyers and upgraders alike, the aluminum Apple Watch Series 2 is the best smartwatch out there for Apple's smartphones. It has great battery life for both 38mm and 42mm models, a speedy processor, intelligent GPS tracking, and an excellent value.

Communicate the way you want by customizing your keyboard

Anytime you tap on an text field, your iPhone or iPad knows that you need to type and instinctively will bring up the default qwerty keyboard on the bottom half of the screen. It's a quick and handy way to get typing when you need to, but have you ever stopped to think that maybe your keyboard could be doing more for you?

Apple's built-in keyboard is already very practical. With the Emoji keyboard already installed on all iOS devices, most people will probably find themselves completely satisfied with the default keyboard. However, there are some pretty neat things you can do to the existing keyboard and you can even install third party keyboards for a completely different feel and look.

• How to add a built-in keyboard
• How to quickly switch between keyboards on iPhone and iPad
• How to install a third party keyboard on iPhone and iPad
• How to set a keyboard as the default on iPhone and iPad

How to add a built-in keyboard

Apple has already taken care of your Emoji needs by making it a part of the default keyboard, but probably the most common reason for adding any additional built-in keyboards is for communicating in different languages.

1. Launch Settings from your Home screen.
2. Tap on the General button.

3. Swipe up to scroll down the menu.

   

4. Tap on Keyboard.
5. Tap on the Keyboards button.

6. Tap on Add New Keyboard

   

7. Swipe up to scroll down the list of options

8. Tap on the keyboard you want to select.

   

Whenever your keyboard pops up on your phone you will have easy access to any of the keyboards you have added. Now you can type out the lyrics to Lady Marmalade with all the correct accents. We assume that's the only reason you would be typing that…

How to quickly switch between keyboards on iPhone and iPad

Now that you have a few keyboards at your disposal, you need to learn how to switch between them all.

1. Pull up a keyboard in any app.
2. Tap and hold on the globe key.

3. Tap on the keyboard name you'd like to use.

   

To return to another keyboard, simply tap and hold the globe key and make your selection again.

That's it! The keyboard you chose should now appear throughout iOS in place of the built-in one that comes standard. Simply start using it.

How to install a third party keyboard on iPhone and iPad

Apple gives you the ability to use custom third party keyboards on your iPhone or iPad. Whether you prefer swiping over typing or just feel like the built-in keyboard holds you back, you now have options! All you have to do is download some keyboards from the App Store, activate them, and you've got a customized experience!

1. Launch the Settings app from your Home screen.
2. Tap on General.

3. Tap on Keyboard.

   

4. Tap on Keyboards at the top.

5. Tap on Add New Keyboard...

6. Under Third-Party Keyboards, tap on the keyboard name that you'd like to use.

   

Now every time you call up the keyboard on your device will allow you to switch between all the third party and built-in keyboards you have added. You can also switch your new keyboard to be your default at any time.

How to set a keyboard as the default on iPhone and iPad

Once you find the perfect keyboard for you, odds are you'll want it to be your go-to default for everything. Luckily, there's an easy way to set it as your default so you don't have to toggle back and forth each time you want to use it.

1. Launch the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad.
2. Tap on General.

3. Tap on Keyboard.

   

4. Tap Keyboards.

5. Tap on Edit.

   

6. Drag the keyboard you'd like to be the default to the top of the list.

7. Tap Done at the top right.

   

That's all there is to it! Whatever keyboard you have positioned in the top spot will now be your default.

Every Friday, the iTunes Store adds new great music to its catalog, and we're here to bring you the best of what it has to offer!

New music this week starts with 22, A Million, the latest album from Bon Iver. Tycho has released its latest electronic effort, Epoch. You can also check out The Altar from Banks. Finally, Regina Spektor has a new album out, Remember Us to Life.

• 22, A Million - $9.99 - Download Now
• Epoch - $9.99 - Download Now
• The Altar - $9.99 - Download Now
• Remember Us to Life - $10.99 - Download Now

This week, the iTunes Store offers discounts on hit pop music. The collection includes music from artists like Ariana Grande, X Ambassadors, Imagine Dragons, and Fitz & The Tantrums. Albums in the collection are available from $6.99.

• Dangerous Woman - $6.99 - Download Now
• VHS - $6.99 - Download Now
• Night Visions - $6.99 - Download Now
• Fitz & The Tantrums - $6.99 - Download Now

Pre-orders start this week with DNCE with his self-titled album, due out November 18. The Serenity of Suffering, the latest from Korn, will arrive on October 21. Finally, Phora will debut With Love on October 11.

• DNCE - $10.99 - Pre-order now
• The Serenity of Suffering - $9.99 - Pre-order now
• With Love - $5.99 - Pre-order now

Bookmark this page and check back next week for more great music!

How do I use Display Accommodations on iPhone? We can accommodate that question!

In iOS 10, inverting colors and implementing grayscale have all been consolidated under Display Accommodations in Accessibility, and Apple has added the ability to activate color filters to help people with even more types of color blindness.

Activating these filters is as easy as flipping a switch, so here we go!

Note: Display Accommodations are only available for iPhone 5s and later. For all models before, you'll see a switch to enable grayscale and a switch to invert colors.

• How to invert colors
• How to reduce White Point
• How to enable Color Filters
• How to change Color Tint

How to invert colors

Inverting colors makes the iPhone or iPad screen easier on the eyes for people that are sensitive to brightness and helps make objects a little easier to see for some people with color blindness and low vision.

1. Launch Settings from your Home screen.
2. Tap General.

3. Tap Accessibility.

   

4. Tap Display Accommodations.

5. Tap the switch next to Invert Colors.

   

How to reduce White Point

When you enable Reduce White Point, it dims the brightness of whites and bright colors on the iPhone and iPad screen. It is different than simply dimming your screen. It sort of adds a layer of very transparent fog across the screen so that things just aren't quite so bright. It is helpful for people that have brightness sensitivity.

1. Launch Settings from your Home screen.
2. Tap General.

3. Tap Accessibility.

   

4. Tap Display Accommodations.
5. Tap the switch next to Reduce White Point.

6. Tap and drag the slider to your preferred setting. You can reduce the White Point from 25% to 100%.

   

How to enable Color Filters

When enabled, Color Filters can help those with color blindness get the most out of their iPhone or iPad. There are specific filters for specific types of color blindness.

1. Launch Settings from your Home screen.
2. Tap General.

3. Tap Accessibility.

   

4. Tap Display Accommodations.
5. Tap Color Filters.

6. Tap the switch next to Color Filters to turn them on.

   

7. Tap a Color Filter:
   • Grayscale
   • Red/Green Filter for Protanopia
   • Green/Red Filter for Deuteranopia
   • Blue/Yellow Filter for Tritanopia

8. Tap and drag the Intensity slider at the bottom of the screen to increase or decrease the intensity of the filter.

   

The way the filter affects your iPhone is shown by the three images at the top of the Color Filters screen. Swipe through the three images to see how the filter will affect the look of your phone.

How to change Color Tint

You can change the color tint of your iPhone or iPad's entire screen if you have light or color sensitivity. Here's how:

1. Launch Settings from your Home screen.
2. Tap General.

3. Tap Accessibility.

   

4. Tap Display Accommodations.
5. Tap Color Filters.

6. Tap the switch next to Color Filters to turn them on.

   

7. Tap Color Tint.
8. Tap and drag the Hue slider at the bottom until the tint is what you need.

9. Tap and drag the Intensity slider until the intensity is where you need it to be.

   

Adjusting the tint of your iPhone or iPad's screen is fairly similar to adjusting your TV set, but if you feel like you went too far and just want the original screen tint back, just tap the switch next to Color Filters, and that'll set everything back to normal.

Questions?

Display accommodations are a new feature in iOS 10! Any questions? Let us know in the comments below!

Each week we'll bring you the best radio shows, playlists, and exclusives that Apple Music has to offer!

Exclusives

This week, subscribers can check out Please Forgive Me, a new short film from Drake. The film is called a "visual companion" to his latest album, Views, and runs just north of 20 minutes.

• Please Forgive Me - Check it out!

Best of Beats 1

One of the best parts of Apple's Beats 1 is the lineup of unique shows that the station has assembled. Apple Music subscribers can listen to each full episode on demand, or skip to the new playlist with tracks from that week's show. This week, we've got new episodes from Mary J. Blige, Mike D, and Anna Lunoe.

• The 411 - In the inaugural episode of this new interview show, Mary J. Blige sits down with presidential candidate Hillary Clinton to talk about the pressures of the spotlight, faith, and family.

  • Tune in to the show

• The Echo Chamber - Mike D sits down with comedian Jarrod Carmichael to discuss hip-hop starts, accompanied by tracks from GoldLink, DJ Shadow, Warpaint, and more.

  • Tune in to the show
  • Get the playlist

• HYPERHOUSE - Anna Lunoe welcomes Party Favor as the Guest Selecta on the latest episode of HYPERHOUSE, which features new music from Tchami, Baauer, Princess Nokia, and more.

  • Tune in to the show
  • Get the playlist

Essential Playlists

Apple Music features a number of carefully curated playlists built both by its own experts as well as several influential publications and companies. These lists highlight the week's best music, interesting artists that you should be listening to, and more, and are constantly updated with fresh tracks.

• Guest List: Chance the Rapper - This list puts the spotlight on tracks featuring guest appearances from Chance the Rapper, with music from Kanye West, KYLE, James Blake, and more. - Get the playlist
• New Fire - Apple has updated its New Fire playlist, featuring the latest and greatest tracks making a splash across the world. Right now, you can check out new music from The Weeknd, Tove Lo, Classixx, and others. - Get the playlist
• Future Hits - Another updated list from Apple, Future Hits takes a look at up and coming music. This week, the list features music from Emeli Sandé, Shawn Mendes, and Kylo. - Get the playlist

Bookmark this page and check back next week for more from Apple Music!

With Handoff you can push, not just data, but also the state of activity between iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Imagine having that for iTunes and Apple Music..

Handoff — the feature when you can start an activity on one device and continue it on another — was introduced a couple of years ago. Since then, we've gotten the ability to unlock our Macs with Apple Watch and authorize Apple Pay on the web with Touch ID on our iPhones. What we haven't gotten is the ability to start listening to our playlist on Mac and then walk away and have it seamlessly switch to our iPhone. It would be great to be able to start watching The Flash on Apple TV and then, when you're tired, take it with you to bed on your iPad. Maybe Apple's working on something from iOS 10.1, iOS 10.2, or iOS 10.3. If not, I'd love to see handoff for iTunes as part of iOS 11

Handoff all the things

Continuity, which includes handoff, was a revelation. Instead of just syncing data, it synced activity — what you were working on and the state of that work. It led to even more cool stuff, like being able to tell Siri to "remember this" and Siri being able to bookmark what you were doing and where, and take you right back to it anytime you wanted.

Super. Cool.

Even handoff by itself is amazing. You can start an email on your iPhone and then switch to Mac to really pound it out. You can prep a Keynote on your Mac and then make last-minute adjustments on your iPad right before the pitch. You can even start a call on your Apple Watch and complete it on your iPhone. For messaging, browsing, document editing, and more, it's ludicrously great. As long as you're logged into the same Apple ID, and in proximity, everything you do can be started, continued, or finished on all of your devices.

Almost.

Handoff currently doesn't work with anything iTunes — music, movies, TV shows, etc. — or with the Apple TV.

Though Handoff shipped in 2014, Apple bought Beats in 2015 and my guess is that — and the new Apple Music service that followed — complicated matters. Figuring out how to bring the past into the future is no easy task.

Technology alone...

Apple seems to have everything in place to enable handoff for iTunes and Apple Music.

Continuity works by using Bluetooth LE to broadcast activities, then activates the internet, iCloud, or direct peer-to-peer Wi-Fi transfer to make that activity's content available on other devices to continue those activities. So, iMore for Safari on the Mac would trigger Safari for iPhone to load iMore as well. Keynote on iPad would cause Keynote on your Mac to check for the current file in iCloud Drive and, if so, grab it. A half-composed Mail message on the iPhone might push the content of that Mail message right to the iPad.

Doing peer-to-peer Wi-Fi transfer is okay with small files. Trying to push a 1.3 GB TV show file or 3-4 GB movie file, however, is an entirely different matter. That why I've kept this constrained to iTunes and not talked about audio and video files in general.

iTunes and Apple Music content is available on iCloud's servers: That's how we're able to re-download music, movies, and TV shows we've already purchased. It's also how Apple Music can just start playing almost any song any time you ask for it.

So, extending Handoff to iTunes and Apple Music could take advantage of the existing systems. Apple ID would make sure who is involved in the transaction and that they're authorized. Bluetooth LE would take care of proximity and broadcast that you're listening or watching, what you're listening or watching, and where you are in the timeline. Pick up another device, and that request goes to Apple's servers, finds the iTunes content, and starts streaming from exactly that point.

Even more media

Because Netflix and other streaming services work in a similarly cloud-centric way, my guess is they could work in a similar way for Handoff as well. You can already open the Netflix app on any device, find the show you were watching, and resume it. Handoff would just make the process faster — you wouldn't have to open the app and find the show, you'd just swipe or tap and keep watching.

Continuity, like extensibility and on-demand resources, is transformative. It unbundles apps, letting their discreet functionality come to where ever you are. It decouples the interface and changes it from pull to push. It's going to change the way we use our devices.

We've already gotten the next generation Apple Music service and the all-new Apple TV. All we need now is handoff to tie it all together. Here's hoping iOS 11 can deliver!

Your wish list?

What would you like to see for handoff and continuity in iOS 11? Let me know!

We've filed a feature request for Handoff for iTunes with Apple: rdar://25024354. Dupes appreciated. Also comments below if it's also a feature you'd like to see!

Can I change the lugs on my Apple Watch? Heck yes, you can! And it's pretty simple, too.

Friday, April 10, 2015, 2:01:33 a.m. - I'm sitting in an uncomfortable desk chair, anxiously jabbing at my iPhone's forgiving glass screen. I've got the Apple Store app open, desperately trying to pre-order a 42mm Space Gray Apple Watch Sport. From the moment I laid eyes on that graphite-gray beauty, I knew I had to have it; I also knew it would be a tough get, given the popularity of uniquely-colored Apple products. Luckily, my finger-jabbing paid off — I had a Space Gray Apple Watch coming to me on launch day.

Unfortunately, it wasn't long before my smug satisfaction began to falter. Apple occasionally releases new bands for its Watch line-up, but many of the ones I was most interested in pairing with my watch came with stainless steel lugs (the clasps that connect the band to the Apple Watch). Some folks can rock the look just fine, but to me, the clashing colors and steel finish were unappealing. As much as I wanted to pick up a Classic Buckle, I couldn't get past the mismatch. So I stuck to lugless bands (like the Woven Nylon) and made peace with the fact that I'd have to pass up the classic look.

Enter custom Apple Watch lugs, stage left

At least, I thought I would. In a moment of inspiration (or boredom), I started rummaging through Amazon's online store and discovered color-matched Apple Watch lugs. Not just for creating your own bands, either, no: These lugs were advertised as true replacements for your current bands.

I'm typically pretty skeptical about random, third-party customizations, but I was desperate, folks: I'd been given a 42mm Blue Jay Classic Buckle as a gift, and I wanted to wear it without my nonsensical brain constantly reminding me that it was a mismatched eyesore. So I went out on a limb and bought 'em.

And let me tell you, I am so happy I did. My Blue Jay band looks fantastic with its new lugs. I was quite honestly surprised by the quality: Per the packaging, they're stainless steel (they certainly feel that way), and they even came with a perfectly sized Pentalobe screwdriver for installation.

Are there custom lugs for my Apple Watch?

If you're rocking one of Apple's more uniquely colored Apple Watches, no sweat: You can totally customize your lugs. Here's a list of color-matched lugs for Apple Watch. Go forth, and customize!

38mm Apple Watch

• Rose Gold Apple Watch lugs
• Gold Apple Watch lugs
• Stainless Steel Apple Watch lugs
• Space Gray Apple Watch lugs
• Space Black Apple Watch lugs

42mm Apple Watch

• Rose Gold Apple Watch lugs
• Gold Apple Watch lugs
• Stainless Steel Apple Watch lugs
• Space Gray Apple Watch lugs
• Space Black Apple Watch lugs

How to replace your band's lugs

Step 1: Separate your band from its old lugs

1. Slide the band out of your Apple Watch and put your watch casing in a safe place.
2. Pick up one side of your band.
3. Look for the two screws on the top of the lug — they're tiny!
4. Use the included Pentalobe screwdriver (or buy one of your own) to remove the screws; this will free the top bar of the lug from the pieces that slide into the material of the band.
5. Slide out the metal bars that connect the band to the lug. Note that I said bars, plural — that seemingly unified piece of metal is actually two pieces connected in the middle. Put the old lug aside.

Step 2: Add the replacement lug to your band

1. Grab one of the replacement lugs, and find the two screws on top.
2. Use the Pentalobe screwdriver to remove the screws, freeing the top bar from the parts that slide into the band.
3. Slide the two metal pieces into the band.
4. Position the top bar over the metal pieces so that the screw holes are lined up.
5. Screw in the Pentalobe screws, making sure to get everything nice and tight.

Step 3: Repeat steps 1 & 2 with the other side of the band

After you've done this, store your original lugs somewhere safe in case you ever want to use them again. I recommend fastening the top bar to its metal pieces when you store it, to avoid losing screws or lugs, and using a clear plastic bag.

The process was so simple that I ended up ordering another set of Space Gray lugs, which allows me to swap out the stainless steel lugs on many of the third-party bands that look good with the Space Gray Apple Watch.

What do you think?

Do you think I'm a silly, ridiculous human for needing color-matched lugs to be happy (Spoiler: I totally am)? Have you done any band customization? Thinking about it now? I want all the details — gimme a shout!