“The Apple Watch is the most personal device we have ever created” Apple Inc CEO Tim Cook said at this morning’s Spring Forward event, continuing, “In addition to being a beautiful object, the Apple watch is the most advanced timepiece ever created. It’s a revolutionary new way to connect with others.”
Between the superlatives and the fanfare, some valuable details on the device — which tracks health, sends notifications and, just like any watch, can function as a bit of a status symbol — were revealed. Here are the five things you really need to know before hitting that pre-order button come April 10.
1. You can choose your flavour
There will be three different Apple Watch products available and each has options on size and watch band, meaning a veritable Ben & Jerry’s of watches to scoop up. At the top of the tier is the Apple Watch Edition, sitting pretty at AU $14,000 and with your choice of rose or yellow gold alloys. Only a few stores around the world will carry the oh-so shiny Edition and there will be eight different models available.
Wondering how any piece of tech could seriously be worth $14k? It’s all about the gold — an 18-karat that is twice as hard as standard gold and was developed exclusively for the Apple Watch Edition. Watch the video below…
If investing that kind of money into a gadget doesn’t feel realistic, the next tier down is the standard Apple Watch that comes in two versions: the $799 38mm and the $879 42mm. It will arrive with a rubber sport band, but there are options to upgrade to a leather, steel link, or textured leather loop band for an additional cost.
Finally, on the third, final, and ‘entry-level’ tier is the Apple Watch Sport. An aluminum bodied and rubber strapped device that comes in 10 different models and is available for $499 38mm or $579 42mm.
2. Its battery life and connectivity leave a little to be desired
Apple says that the watch will provide a full day of use, or approximately 18 hours if you check the time 90 times, use apps for 45 minutes and work out for 30 minutes during that time. Once the battery gets too low the watch will revert to a power-saving mode that only displays the time and this mode will last 72 hours.
One thing Apple has received criticism for is the fact that the device itself doesn’t actually have mobile connectivity or GPS so you need to be tethered to your iPhone to access the internet, map your run, or even receive notifications about your email.
3. It is basically a personal trainer
This watch will track everything you want to know about your health and some things you might prefer not to find out from a watch. All the bells and whistles we’ve become accustomed to from gadgets like the FitBit and Nike Fuel Band are there — your pulse rate, movements, GPS location and distance travelled, how many calories you are burning — and will remind you to stand if deemed to sedentary. We sense standing desks could become a whole lot more necessary if this device catches!
Model and founder of the non-profit Every Mother Counts was on hand at the event to share her experience training for and running the Kilimanjaro Half Marathon with the Apple Watch.
Watch the video below:
4. It pays for things and could reduce your life admin time
The Apple Pay app will be integrated with the watch and by double tapping the watch’s side button, your credit cards will be brought up to allow you to make a payment by putting your watch next to a retail outlet’s scanner.
The Uber app will be integrated with the watch to help you book a car with ease, your flight ticket details and barcode in passbook will help you through airport security, and there’s potential to unlock a garage door with your watch through the Alarm.com app.
5. It’s out-done the emoji
One of the more gimmicky functions of the Apple Watch is the Digital Touch feature which allows the user to quickly sketch something to send to a friend who can then watch your drawing animate and respond with a creation for you.
You can also customize a series of taps for friends and loved ones which can be communicated through a silent, gentle tapping pattern or press two fingers to the screen to activate the built-in heart rate sensor and send your beloved your heartbeat…
It can also make calls which can then be transferred over to your iPhone and back again. Not bad.
The Apple Watch most definitely sounds impressive, but whether or not its something that will instantly catch on and become a hit is unknown. The high price point and inability to connect without tethering to a phone may be a sore point for some, but there’s no doubt an Apple enthusiast and tech heads will want in on the action regardless. Watch this space!
Australian Release Dates and Prices:
- Available for pre-order April 10, purchase April 24
- Apple Watch Sport will cost $499 for 38mm, or $579 for 42mm model
- Apple Watch will start at $799 for 38mm or $1629 for 42mm
- Apple Watch Edition will start at $14,000
