Apple has launched the Apple Watch alongside the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus... here's everything we know thus far
The iWatch is official but it’s not called the iWatch – it’s called Apple Watch and, like the demon in The Exorcist, it is legion (i.e. there’s quite a few of them). Tim Cook says the Apple Watch is all about health & fitness tracking and represents a HUGE step forward for Apple as a company.
Interestingly, the Apple Watch is the first Apple product exclusively guided from drawing board to retail by Cook himself (Jobs had no role in it, apparently).
Apple has created what it calls a Digital Crown, a spinning dial on the side of the watch that you spin to zoom in and out of apps or rotate down through apps. This method of interaction ensures the display is never covered, meaning you can always see what’s being displayed on its screen – even when moving around the UX.
The OS running inside Apple’s Watch has been completely redesigned with watch-based use in mind; it’s still not clear what OS the wearables use, however –– although it is most likely some form of iOS, purpose built for this device like what Apple did with Apple TV.
It comes with a bunch of watch faces that include different functions that you can customise yourself. If you want the time and the weather you can press down and change them to what you want. There’s a Mickey Mouse dancing watch face, for example, or another that shows you your place on earth.
Apple will retail three types of Apple Watch: Apple Watch, Apple Watch Sport and Apple Watch Edition. Each model is available in two sizes – one for women and one for men – and Apple also has six different strap options, which users can switch around at their leisure.
The Apple Watch will get a release date in early 2015, however, has not confirmed which markets will be getting it first. Prices will start at $349, although this is likely the entry-level model.
"Apple aims to reset the wearable market and make 2014 year zero for wearables, as 2007 became the start of the true smartphone market because of the iPhone. But moving into a new category is a bold, expensive and risky effort. This Apple Watch is a first generation device, whether it is successful or not, Apple will aim to iterate and make it a must have companion for every iPhone owner," said IHS analyst Ian Fogg.
He added: "Apple rarely invents new markets, despite its reputation. But when Apple launches a new product category it attempts to re-define the market. Examples of Apple's ability to enter an existing market and transform it include: the iPhone, iPad, and iPod. In each case, Apple changed the competitive dynamics and forced existing players to move fast to remain competitive. Current wearable makers must raise their game to respond to Apple or risk a similar market trajectory because today's Apple is considerably stronger than the company was at the launch of the iPod,
iPhone or iPad."
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