The Apple Watch will wrap itself around consumers' wrists when it begins shipping April 24, Apple revealed at an event today.
Pre-orders will begin April 10, the same day that Apple Watches will arrive in Apple retail stores for visitors to browse and test out.
The three editions are available in small and large sizes and will retail at the following prices:
- The Apple Watch Sport for $349 (38 mm) and $399 (42 mm). The entry-level model is constructed of anodized aluminum and is "protected by strengthened Ion-X glass." Available accessories include five colored fluoroelastomer bands, which is a fancy way of saying specialized rubber.
- The Apple Watch for $549 - $1,049 (38 mm) and $599 - $1,099 (42 mm), priced depending on the band. The mid-level model is constructed of stainless steel and sports a display "protected by sapphire crystal." Accessories include three leather bands, a link bracelet, a Milanese loop and a band "made from high-performance fluoroelastomer," specialized rubber.
- The Apple Watch Edition at prices beginning at $10,000. The top tier is constructed of 18-karat gold and a sapphire crystal display. There are several flavors of golden hues, ranging from rose to yellow.
After months of rumors, Apple unveiled its long-rumored wearable device Sept. 9, 2013, exactly six months before today's event. At its debut, Apple CEO Tim Cook focused largely on the Apple Watch's capabilities as a "comprehensive health and fitness device," and Apple will include fitness and exercise apps that use the device's sensor to track things like calories burned and heart rate.
The Apple Watch will support third-party apps, thanks to Apple's WatchKit API. As of now, apps for the phone are limited. The wearable effectively serves as a projection of things happening on an iPhone. Apple will expand WatchKit's capabilities in future API updates.
Apple Watches must be tethered to iPhones, beginning with the iPhone 5.
