The Apple Watch isn’t out yet, but it already has a strange charging stand

By Joshua Sherman January 8, 2015

Bandstand — Image used with permission by copyright holder

We don’t know exactly when the Apple Watch will launch in 2015, but at least we already know about one of its upcoming accessories. The accessory company Standoutz has announced at CES its new docking station for the Apple Watch, called Bandstand.

Bandstand is a charging stand for your new Apple Watch, but it’s also an all-in-one charging station for your other Apple devices. The rather gargantuan and unusually ugly accessory sits on your desk with a swiveling, magnetic docking station that connects to the Apple Watch. Under the docking station are additional charging ports for your other devices.

The Bandstand needs to be plugged into the wall with an AC adapter as opposed to a port on your Macbook, at least according to its diagram.

The idea behind Bandstand is that you can swivel the dock on a 360-degree angle in order to use your watch as a clock in your room while it charges. The Bandstand also features an interchangeable panel for custom colors, so orange doesn’t have to be the look of your Apple Watch dock. The design of Bandstand seems to look more like a watch display case than a docking station, though beauty is in the eye of the beholder, right?

The developers behind the Bandstand, Standoutz, haven’t yet shared pricing and availability – but they plan to have it out alongside the Apple Watch launch in 2015. If you’re interested, you can join their waiting list to know when it becomes available.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Joshua Sherman is a contributor for Digital Trends who writes about all things mobile from Apple to Zynga. Josh pulls his…

Mobile

The wearable tech revolution won’t look like the Apple Watch

Movano Ring. Credits: Movano official.

“Fitbit, Apple, and Samsung have set this expectation of what a wearable can do, and I think Movano, Oura, and other companies are going to start to redefine that over time.”

This is according to Stacy Salvi. She's Vice President of Strategy at health-focused technology company Movano and has seen firsthand how wearables have changed, having recently moved on after 15 years at wearable tech pioneer Fitbit. In an interview with Digital Trends, she spoke about how smart jewelry — and advancements in sensor technology, in particular — will push wearables forward in the near future.
Wearable revolution
“I think the role of the wearable is evolving,” Salvi told us. “What we want it for, and what we’re using it for, is really now just becoming clear. We’re still in the really early days, but people are seeing some real health benefits from wearables. And as [health tracking] gets better and better, [wearables are] going to mean something different. As the utility and experience evolves, the way we think about them will change.”

Mobile

New Apple Watch Series 7 has a 20% larger screen that’s much brighter indoors

Surfing workout being tracked on the all new Apple Watch Series 7.

Apple's third big revelation at its September 14 "California Streaming" event was a new generation of its Apple Watch. The Series 7 is planned for release later this fall at a starting price of $399, and it will bring a host of improved features, including a larger screen with thinner borders.

The Series 7 watch runs off of the new Watch iOS8. It features a 20% larger screen with a new retina display that continues to slim down the already-skinny borders of the watch, which are now 40% thinner, clocking in at just over 1 millimeter wide.

Wearables

The best Apple Watch accessories

Apple Watch accessories

While the Apple Watch Series 5 now dominates the scene, Apple and many other commercial vendors are still selling older, discounted models (like the Apple Watch Series 3), while the private market makes a brisk trade in some earlier versions of the timepiece. So, regardless of your budget, you can procure an Apple Watch if you really desire one. But your shopping list probably won't end with that single product -- you can safeguard your precious timepiece, snag a stylish charger, or buy a new strap for special occasions. The volume of Apple Watch accessories is legion, and we’ve found a few gems among them.
If you’re looking for some of the best Apple Watch apps, check out our roundup. We've also put together a roundup of the best Apple Watch bands and faces.

Best Apple Watch docks for the nightstand
Simpeak Charging Stand