The long-rumored Apple Watch is here.
Apple CEO Tim Cook took the stage today to unveil what he called the most personal device the company has ever created.
“I’m so excited and so proud. It is the next chapter in Apple’s story,” he said.
Yes, the Apple Watch requires the iPhone, but it works not only with the iPhone 6 but also with the iPhone 5s, iPhone 5c and iPhone 5. It starts at $349, and it will be available in early 2015.
Apple Watch also works with Apple Pay, the company’s new payments system.
The Apple Watch introduces the concept of a “Digital Crown,” a small knob on the side of the device, which Apple says is a tool that enables content to be magnified on a small display and navigate “fluidly and precisely.”
The screen is a flexible Retina display that can sense touch and pressure, enabling different types of interactions and controls, including the ability to tap to get in touch with friends, and send them simple doodles and other messages by drawing on the face of the device.
Users can even share their heartbeats with each other, from device to device.
The Apple Watch was introduced with a long video featuring Apple’s Jony Ive, and the crowd received the device with a big cheer.
Siri is built into the device, letting users press the digital crown to activate the digital assistant and ask questions.
The watch supports third-party apps, with a tool called WatchKit that can be used by developers to create notifications and other features. Facebook and Twitter are two of the apps being shown on stage. American Airlines has an app for Apple Watch, and Starwood’s app will let users get into their rooms at W Hotels by waving the watch in front of the door. BMW, Pinterest, MLB, and Nike apps are being shown on stage.
Tim Cook came back on stage to show two new Apple apps for the Watch — an Activity app, to monitor activity throughout the day; and a Workout app for specific exercise activities.
The watch can be used to control the Apple TV, or as a viewfinder for the iPhone camera.
