All the Details on Apple’s Crazy New iWatch
The watches of the future. | Image via Apple
You may have heard most definitely have heard about yesterday’s Apple announcement: the unveiling of the Apple Watch, the latest and greatest in wearable technology. But is it something we really need? I’m skeptical. Even when I wear a watch, it’s a fashion accessory at best and I still instinctively grab for my phone to check the time. But in that same vein, I’m a sucker for my iPhone. Perhaps I should instill my trust in Apple?
To help determine how essential this watch really is, I read a handy breakdown on Business of Fashion entitled “6 Core Beliefs Behind the New ‘Apple Watch.'” Author Imran Amed navigated the ins and outs of Apple’s newest product. Here, I tease out the need-to-know info about the much-hyped accessory. And most importantly: will I be forking over the bucks for it?
- There are major customization options, including everything from the strap to casing and face:
“two different screen sizes, several options for strap materials — including rubber, stainless steel and leather — and a range of six different metallic finishes, crafted from custom alloys, for the core watch casing and face, which is made with sapphire crystal, the strongest transparent material after diamond.”
- There will be three different collections and price points:
“While the Apple Watch Sport, will arrive in stores in early 2015 and sell for $349, more luxurious options are in the pipeline, including some available in 18-karat gold. Apple Watch Edition, the most expensive collection, could sell for thousands of dollars, though Apple has not yet revealed its price or delivery date.”
- It’s a health nut’s dream (could it give the FitBit a run for its money?):
“Apple Watch will ship with two built-in health apps: the Activity app, which monitors calories burned, daily activity and sitting patterns and the Workout app, which is geared towards more measuring more robust exercise.”
“It features two circular sensors and two circular emitters on the back of the watchcasing, entirely visible to the user, which, along with the accelerometer, GPS and Wi-Fi functionality of a companion iPhone, can provide and let you share (with a doctor or personal trainer, for example) an intelligent picture of your daily activity.”
- It will require charging like any other Apple device:
“A smartwatch like this also requires charging (yes, there is another Apple charger to contend with) and so the watch can’t practically be worn at all times like a classic watch, which doesn’t need charging.”
- It might need some tinkering:
“While the design of Watch is leagues ahead of every other wearable tech gadget on the market — and there are features which make it very luxurious indeed — the Apple Watch face itself is heavier and clunkier than one might expect.”
The Verdict: Will I be pitching a tent outside the Apple store on Walnut come January? Er, probably not. The Apple Watch seemingly possesses all the bells and whistles we’ve grown to come accustomed to with our iGoods, but if there’s anything we’ve learned after recycling our iPhones every two years is this: the second iteration is always better. I’ll be holding out for my Apple Watch 2, thank you very much.
