“It’s not just with you, it’s on you,” said CEO Tim Cook as he began to talk about the Apple Watch today at Apple’s “Spring Forward” press event.
Cook kicked things off by touting the watch’s accuracy keeping track of time and its support for a range of watch faces. It will also support the usual notifications and even offer the ability to take a call from your wrist.
Other highlights include:
- Digital Touch: A new technology that lets one Apple Watch connect directly to another and share a sketch or even your heartbeat.
- Comprehensive health and fitness companion that will not only track activities but also remind you to be more active. For example, it will warn you when you have been sitting too long and offer daily Move goals based on past activity levels.
- A new Workout app that provides more detailed measurements during specific activities such as an outdoor run.
- Range of Glance notifications including calendar events, news and sports scores and social media
- WatchKit SDK has been available since November. “Thousands” of apps already in development for the Apple Watch.
- Support for Siri. Can be triggered both using digital crown or voice.
“Apple Watch begins a new chapter in the way we relate to technology and we think our customers are going to love it,” said Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO. “We can’t wait for people to start wearing Apple Watch to easily access information that matters, to interact with the world, and to live a better day by being more aware of their daily activity than ever before.
As already announced, the Apple Watch will be available in three collections. The Apple Watch Sport will start at US$349 (CA$449) and the Apple Watch at US$549 (CA$699) for the 38mm models. The 42mm models will cost US$399 (CA$519) and US$599 (CA$779) respectively. Then there is the Apple Watch Edition. Available in limited runs, it will start at US$10,000 (CA$13,000).
The Apple Watch will begin to ship on April 24 in nine countries, including Canada. Pre-orders will begin on April 10. The Apple Watch will also be in Apple Retail Stores on April 10 to give customers a preview.