Apple Watch, the most advance timepiece ever created arrives this April.
Apple has finally revealed all regarding the Apple Watch, the wrist-based wearable it first introduced last September. Many of the Apple Watch’s particulars were already known, but here, for the first time, is a comprehensive look at what will no doubt become the world’s most popular smartwatch.
Apple is capitalizing on this idea by coming up with their own brand called Apple Watch.
"Apple Watch is the most personal device we have ever created," Apple CEO Tim Cook said onstage, repeating themes from the company's September event. "It's just not with you -- it's on you. And since what you wear is an expression of who you are, we've designed Apple Watch to appeal to a whole variety of people with different tastes and different preferences."
Cook called Apple Watch "the most advanced timepiece ever created." Pre-orders for the device start on April 10.
Apple Watch will have a 18-hour battery life. The device charges with a magnetic cable that snaps onto the watch's back. The gadget is also water-resistant, but not waterproof, so no swimming with the Apple Watch after all.
The aluminum and glass Apple Watch Sport with a plastic band starts at $349 or $400 for a model with a larger casing, while the stainless steel mid-tier model will start at $550 and go as high as $1,100 depending on what band it's paired with. The highest-end model, the 18-karat gold Apple Watch Edition, will start at $10,000 and goes as high as $17,000 when paired with Apple's gold-laden buckle.
The Apple Watch comes in two sizes -- 42mm or 38mm -- and three designs -- the aluminum-cased Apple Watch Sport, stainless-steel-cased Apple Watch and the 18-karat-gold-cased Apple Watch Edition. The aluminum comes with silver or space gray options, while the stainless steel comes in its namesake color or a space black version. The gold watch is available in 18-karat yellow gold or 18-karat rose gold.
There also are a variety of bands that can be easily swapped, including a Milanese loop of metal mesh with magnets, a leather band that auto-attaches, a segmented metal link band, a classic leather watch band, a leather loop band and a more plasticized sport band in bright colors. Individual prices for the bands span from $50 to $450.
Making sure the watch is fashionable and something people actually want to wear, the company also placed a big emphasis on designWhile at first glance it resembles Samsung's Gear smartwatches and other wearables already on the market, it provides more ways the wearer can customize it. Apple will provide a range of bands in various materials -- including leather and metal -- so users can tailor the product to their style.
Pre-orders will begin on April 10th. The device will start shipping on April 24th, and cost anywhere from $349 to $10,000 depending on style.
Collections
The Apple Watch is unique among Apple’s product offerings in terms of just how much variety it offers in terms of buyer options. To help clarify and define the available choices, the company has separated Apple Watch models into three distinct collections: The Apple Watch Sport, the Apple Watch, and the Apple Watch Edition. All three offer both 38mm and 42mm rectangular case sizing options, but materials and finishes vary by collection, as do the band options offered by default.
Apple Watch Sport
Apple Watch Sport has an anodized aluminum finish, which comes in both space gray and silver. These finishes will actually match most closely with the existing case materials of the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus, because of their matte look. The display of the Watch Sport editions are protected by a special ion-treated durable glass, similar to what is used on the iPhone, too. The Watch Sport will ship with a rubberized plastic sport band, which is available in a range of colors.
The Sport version of the Apple Watch is the most affordable in the range, but it also is the one that aesthetically most resembles the current iPhone models. Rubberized straps might not suit all tastes, but the interchangeable custom strap system Apple designed for all the watches mean users can easily change those out.
The Apple Watch Sport is $349 for the 38MM and $399 for the 42MM model.
Apple Watch
The Apple Watch is the middle-ground collection of the wearable, with stainless steel casing available in either a shiny polished silver or a glossy ‘space’ black. The stainless steel is paired with a sapphire crystal protective layer covering the display, which should provide additional scratch resistance vs. the basic Watch Sport model. Strap options on the Watch Collection include sport band, leather bands with multiple buckles and a leather loop, as well as a stainless steel link or Milanese loop bracelet. The choice of strap affects the price of the Watch collection.
The Apple Watch is $549- $1049 depending on band for the 38MM. The Apple Watch steel 42MM runs $599-$1099 for the same.
Apple Watch Edition
The Watch Edition uses the same sapphire crystal to protect its screen, but it comes in either rose or yellow 18-karat gold, which partially accounts for its much higher cost. The Watch Edition also offers exclusive strap options, including leather bands and sport bands with special 18-karat gold hardware in finishes matching the case of each particular model.
Apple Watch Edition will cost over $10,000.
Native Apps
Apple’s Watch has a lot to offer in terms of its watch functions, with various faces with customizable colors and detail views, and software-based “complications” that mimic their namesake on analog automatic and manual watches. Some complications include alarms, weather, sunset/sunrise, chronograph, upcoming appointments, interactive animations and more.
