As expected, Apple today did not announce a new version of the Apple Watch at its “Let us loop you in” press event. The company instead unveiled an update to WatchOS and new accessories for the current Apple Watch. It also announced a new lower starting Apple Watch price that should help maintain its dominance of the smartwatch market.
Until today, the Apple Watch price started at US$349 for the 38mm model and US$399 for the 42mm model. It will now start instead at US$299 (CA$399) for the 38mm model and US$349 for the 42mm model. It was not immediately clear if the price cut would also extend to other pricing tiers though.
During the event, Apple CEO Tim Cook revealed that about a third of Apple Watch users regularly change their watch bands. There is clearly a market for bands and Apple today unveiled a new collection of bands called its “spring lineup” to take advantage of this. The new Apple Watch straps include a new Space Black version of the Milanese Loop, a new line of woven Nylon bands featuring a “unique four layer construction” as well as new colours for the Sport and leather bands.
The new nylon bands will sell for US$49 and will come in seven different colours, gold and red, gold and royal blue, royal blue, pink, pearl, scuba blue and black.
The lowest priced Apple Watch will now come with the choice of a new nylon bands or a sport band.
Apple also announced a new version of its watch operating sytem. watchOS 2.2 introduces support for multiple watches paired to a single iPhone as well as new Apple Maps features.