Apple CEO Tim Cook has confirmed the Apple Watch will launch in April 2015.
“Development for Apple Watch is right on schedule and we expect to begin shipping in April,” Tim told analysts and shareholders. He added, “The creativity and software innovation going on around Apple Watch is incredibly exciting and we can’t wait for our customers to experience them.”
However, unfortunately Cook didn’t give any insight as to whether or not there would be a staggered release, or whether or not all global regions will be able to purchase it at near enough the same time, as there has been these issues previously when Apple’s launched a brand new product.
Apple has the price of the entry-level Apple Watch in US dollars will be $349, which is about £229. It’s been told that the Apple Watch Edition and Apple Watch Sport will cost a higher amount. There’s rumours that the Sport will be over $1,000 (£658) and the Edition costing significantly more, although there has been no confirmation of this from Apple.
We got the first glimpse at the Apple Watch (iWatch) in September 2014, when Tim Cook led a detailed presentation. Apple has since released an official SDK for developers to start designing Apple Watch apps, revealing more information about what we can expect from the Apple Watch.
(14/01/2015): @DavidCourt: The team over at 9to5Mac has done some great work in getting early screenshots of the new Apple Watch app. The images come off the back of Apple’s iOS 8.2 beta release, and clearly show that iPhones are set to control some of the more fiddly Apple Watch settings. Here’s what the leaked “Companion” app images tell us.
Apple Watch: Companion app settings
The Companion app has been developed to act as a portal for adjusting the Apple Watch’s preferences. It is there for users to toggle notification settings and let you organise the smartwatch’s honeycomb app layout – on the bigger iPhone screen.
The iPhone app will play a big part in setting up the Apple Watch. This is what you can do with Companion:
– Unlock with iPhone: use the iPhone and Apple Watch to unlock each other when devices are close
– Passcode: a simple four-digit passcode can be set from the iPhone
– Erase data: Apple Watch will delete all data after 10 failed passcode attempts
– Zoom toggle: enable or disable classic iOS zoom functions (double tap and pinch to zoom)
– Display: users can chose control the motion speed, transparency, onscreen labels, and toggle between mono and stereo audio
– VoiceOver toggle: users can touch Apple Watch text with two fingers and have it read back to them
– Default replies: create and store multiple default replies to messages. These replies can be selected by touch when replying.
– Alerts: decide if you want the smart watch to display all, none, or only certain types of messages
– Replies: as there’s no keyboard on the Apple Watch, users can chose whether they prefer to dictate text, record audio messages, or enable both through the app.
– Notifications: a red dot will appear on your watch indicating you have new notifications on your iPhone.
– Alarms: toggle whether you want to receive push alerts from your iPhone for alarms or timers.
– Maps: the (almost famous) Taptic Engine can be turned on/off for navigation mode.
– About: here you can find storage capacity, number of songs and photos on the device, installed apps, serial number, plus Bluetooth and Wi-Fi settings
– Apps layout: use your larger iPhone screen to organise and arrange the applications shown on your home screen.
– Health: the Companion app is where you can turn on and customise the Apple Watch’s health features.
– Tracking: these include heart-rate tacking, activity progress, exercise goals, step count achievements and weekly fitness summaries
– Monogram: embed a 1-4 letter stamp on the virtual background of your watch face.