After unveiling two new iPhone models – the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus – and a new payment solution called Apple Pay, Apple finally unveiled its long-rumored smartwatch. No, it’s not called the iWatch. It’s called the Apple Watch, and there are two sizes for that too.
I bet you didn’t see that curveball coming.
The devices look vaguely like iPod Nanos on wristbands, but not that’s not quite an accurate description.
For one, you don’t have to have an iPhone to use an iPod Nano. You do, however, have to have one to use an Apple Watch.
The devices come in various band styles and designs. The bands appear to be interchangeable. CEO Tim Cook called the iWatch “the most personal device” the company has ever created. Jony Ive said there are “millions” of unique designs that can be put together.
Millions?
The interface, not unlike many existing watches, is controlled by the crown, which lets you do things like scroll and zoom. The back of the watch has sensors presumably for health and fitness-related apps. It reads your heart rate, and uses GPS from your phone.
It has a touchscreen (which responds to force), and lets you access Siri with your voice, and use it to respond to messages, get the weather, etc.
It has a wireless charger.
When you get notifications, it vibrates. You can add various widgets to the interface to personalize it for your needs. There’s a messaging feature that presents you with options for answering questions, apparently understanding the questions being asked.
It lets you use various apps you would expect – messaging, apps, photos, etc. If you’re too lazy to pull the phone out of your pocket, you should love this. You can also send drawings to your friends, in case that’s something you feel like doing.
Apple really played up the health angle. The watches come with apps called Fitness and Workout.
They also work with Apple Pay, of course.
Developers get to use “WatchKit” to develop their apps.
Here’s the Twitter reaction to the Apple Watch:
There are three basic models for Apple Watch: Apple Watch, Apple Watch Sport, and Apple Watch Edition. The devices are compatible with the new iPhone models as well as the 5, 5C and 5S. They’ll be available early next year with prices starting at $349.
Update: Apple has updated its website. You can get the official feature rundown here.
Image via Apple
