Apple release their first wearable device
Apple’s about to follow the buzzing release of their ground-breaking iPhone 6, with the launch of Apple’s first smart watch – the Apple Watch.
- What is it: an iOS 8-friendly watch that links up with your iPhone
- Materials: Screen – protected by sapphire crystal (the stuff they use for the Vertu phone; bands – choice of three leather bands, a link bracelet, a Milanese loop, and a band from high-performance fluroelastomer
- Release date: Some time early this year
- Cost: anticipated retail price is AU $379
- Battery life: Around one day, Apple time. (Let’s see about that.)
So, what does it do?
Well, it relays messages, Facebook updates, simplified apps and Siri through your wrist. The Apple Watch will effectively act as a wrist-version of your iPhone, removing the hassle of having to constantly reach into your pocket to check for social media updates. (Or, you know – the time.) It’s a little light on features, like most other smart watches out there – but what would you expect?
And how does it work?
Although the screen is square-shaped, based on the iPod Nano, it operates by a circular knob (what they call the digital crown), which is attached to the watch’s side. Apple says the pinch-and-zoom would have been too impractical on such a small screen. Which is why they’ve opted for the more traditional watch-face functionality – featuring a few Apple-centric spins that’ll be unveiled in due course, no doubt.
Is it worth it?
With all this considered, and in light of all its competitors, will it be worth it? Only time will tell.