Apple has unveiled its Apple Watch, formerly known (mostly by speculators) as the iWatch.
The new wearable tech was pitched as a “redefining” technological experience by Apple, and it sure does look pretty.
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Billed as a comprehensive health and fitness device, the Apple Watch works seamlessly with iPhone and is “incredibly customizable,” offering a “a precise, customizable timepiece,” according to Apple CEO Tim Cook.
Design
The Apple Watch was shown off with a variety of customizable bands and time pieces. Apple stated that it was as much about its design as it was its technology. Even its home screen looks lovely:
It also features a dial (or “crown”) on the side that you can use to zoom in/out of the display. Nifty.
Features
The Apple Watch is fitted with sensors that detect your wrist, letting the device know when it should display its screen. A button underneath the crown allows you to connect your Apple Watch with your friend’s Apple Watch, and send him/her a little drawing or… er… your heartbeat.
Its fitness features and its heartbeat sensor look set to really put it at the forefront of other such fitness-focused devices.
Editions
Connectivity
The Apple Watch requires either the iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, iPhone 5S, iPhone 5 or iPhone 5C in order to work.
Messaging
Communication was also a focal point of the presentation, as Apple detailed how Apple Watch users could message one another using the tech. You can either use the messaging keyboard ‘Quick Board’ to type out messages, or a dictation device that surprisingly isn’t Siri – whether or not this means that the quality of the service will be sub-par remains to be seen.
Emojis can also be stretched on the Apple Watch’s face before being sent to someone. It’s a nice touch.
Apple was really toying with the messaging features in the demonstration, showing how users can send each other drawings to talk with each other, i.e. doodle a photo of coffee in order to suggest going out for coffee. It’s a neat idea, if a little long-winded.
Fitness
Tim Cook took to the stage to say that he wanted everyone to get “a little bit more active,” before detailing the Apple Watch’s fitness features. These features were separated under the Fitness app and Workout app.
The Apple Watch takes advantage of your iPhone’s GPS system to track how far you’ve travelled. Apple is so confident in it that they even suggested it as an alternative to personal trainers.
Pricing and Release
The Apple Watch will release “early next year” for a starting price of $349, which is quite a bit more than we were expecting. Still, it looks gorgeous and it’s making some bold leaps forward in terms of what wearable tech is capable of, so we’re excited to see how much this resonates with the consumer.
