The Apple Watch is a smartwatch that operates as a small wearable computing device worn on a user’s wrist. The Apple Watch was officially announced on September 9th, 2014, with availability of the new device expected in early 2015.
Pricing for the Apple Watch will start at $349. While most analysts expected the device to be released under the Apple iWatch moniker, Apple surprised many by deviating from the “i” pattern of naming its new devices like the iPod, iPhone and iPad.
How Does the Apple Watch Work?
The Apple Watch is designed to pair, or connect, with another Apple iOS device like the iPhone to push Apple Watch-specific content to the device. In fact, users will need to have an iPhone 5 or later connected to the smartwatch in order to access Apple Watch’s full set of features.
There are three styles of the initial Apple Watch available: a stainless steel standard version, an Apple Watch Sport model, and an 18K gold Apple Watch Edition. Each style comes in one of two sizes: 38mm (1.49 inches) or 42mm (1.65 inches).
Features in the Apple Watch
The Apple Watch sports a Retina display protected by a Sapphire screen, and it utilizes both a touch screen and a Digital Crown wheel for operating the interface.
As far as features, the Apple Watch has the ability to make phone calls, check caller ID and access visual voicemail, send and receive text messages, access stock and weather updates, provide fitness capabilities via heart rate and other health monitoring sensors, offer map coordinates and directions, and more.
The Apple Watch also offers support for popular Apple iOS functionality such as the Siri voice assistant and Apple Pay mobile payments service.
Apple Watch Series 2 Debuted in 2016
Apple announced an updated version of the watch in fall 2016. The Apple Watch Series 2 debuted September 16th, 2016, with a more powerful dual-core S2 processor, built-in GPS support and waterproofing, among other features. Apple also announced it would be updating the original watch device with the same S2 processor and selling it as the Apple Watch Series 1.
