7 ways the Apple Watch has redefined time

Smartwatches are not a new phenonemon, a statement that while true, may have been easily forgot among the fanfare of the Apple Watch launch yesterday. This is the wearable that everyone has been waiting for, but what exactly is Apple offering? CBR gives you the rundown on the key selling points of the hotly anticipated Apple Watch.

1. The Watch

Or should we say watches. Apple is offering 3 models of Apple Watch – Apple Watch, Apple Watch Sport and Apple Watch Edition. All watches feature a square shaped, sapphire crystal display, offered in two sizes; 38mm and 42mm with 272×340 and 319×390 resolutions, respectively.

2. Customisation

A host of different watch faces and straps are available – 34 to be exact. You could go for the silver aluminum case, pink band Watch Sport, or maybe the stainless steel case with the midnight blue modern buckle is more your style. You could choose a Mickey Mouse watch face, or maybe a more traditional dial – the options are there.

3. Software

A new iOS, Taptic engine and a digital crown to top it off – Apple is looking to beat the competition with the tech behind the different straps and metals.

Touch navigation is a given with an Apple product, but wearers can also use the ‘Digital Crown’ to navigate. Where the traditional crown would be on a watch, the digital crown can be used to scroll and zoom in and out. Improving the mapping experience, the taptic engine alerts wearers with vibrations, while Siri is also on hand to be the receiver of the wearer’s demands. Handoff, HomeKit and HealthKit are also supported, allowing wearers to connect with their home and keep track of their fitness.

4. What does it do?

Nearly everything a smartphone does – but an a smaller scale. You can cram your apps onto the watch, sync it with your phone and off you go.

A feature called ‘Glances’ has been added, which shows recent notifications, while ‘Smart Replies’ will allow users to select pre-written responses to reply to messages (maybe for those who do not want to talk to their wrist to reply).

In addition to the usual Facebook updates and instagram-like apps available, the Watch can also measure heart rate and calories via Apple’s new Activity and Workout apps. There is also scope, via apps, for the Watch to connect with your home, sync with your car and pay at the shops.

Oh yes, it can also tell the time.

5. Battery Life

Although there has been speculation regarding the battery life of the Apple Watch, with some claiming that the watch lasts only 2.5 hours with heavy use, Tim Cook reassured customers that a good 18 hours could be expected from the Watch.

6. Price

Ranging in price from £299 to £13,500, the Apple Smartwatch range is suited for those who can blow the budget. The price of the watch is dependent on the metals they are made from and the materials used for the strap. Pricing also depends on which size model is chosen.

The 38mm Apple Watch Sport will be priced from £299, with those wanting the bigger case size having to fork out another £100. The Apple Watch starts at £479, while those wanting to really blow the budget could opt for the 18-carat gold Edition model – starting at a reasonable £8,000.