Apple finally unveiled its first smartwatch, but declined to call it an iWatch. Instead, the wearable is simply the Apple Watch.
“With Apple Watch, we’ve developed multiple technologies and an entirely new user interface specifically for a device that’s designed to be worn. It blurs the boundary between physical object and user interface,” Jony Ive, Apple’s senior vice president of design, said in a statement.
So what's great about it? Apple seems to think the "Digital Crown" is one of the the best things -- a new way to scroll, zoom and navigate akin to the iPod click wheel -- which basically looks like a little knob on the upper left that used to be for winding up manual watches. Also, the watch is so sensitive it can send someone messages about a user's heartbeat. That heartbeat is going to make another appearance because it's also important for health and fitness apps that Apple has also been suggesting to users, including its new Activity app. Because of this, the watch is divided into three models the Apple Watch, Apple Watch Sport and Apple Watch Edition.
The watch also has Siri, a sapphire Retina display, sensitivity to a "tap" and a "press" called Force Touch, and a built-in speaker. It's available in two sizes, 38mm and 42mm and come in everything from black stainless steel to 18-karat rose gold.The bands are just as diverse --- apparently catering to the fashionistas in the crowd. Prices start at $349 in early 2015, but we can tell you that's probably not the 18K version.
The watch can store information on the iPhone and also receive notifications. The watch is compatible with the iPhone 5, 5C and 5S, as well as the latest iPhone 6.
While Apple chief Tim Cook displayed the new induction charger, there was no word on how it works or how long the charge lasts -- a possible negative as we reported yesterday.
