Apple Watch release date announced

PanARMENIAN.Net - Apple has announced that the Apple Watch will be released on April 24 in numerous territories, including the UK and US, Digital Spy reports.

The wearable device will be available to pre-order on April 10, and will arrive in Apple retail stores for customers to sample on that date.

The technology giant's debut smartwatch must be synced to an iPhone to function, and works in conjunction with a companion app, which is included in iOS 8.2.

The Apple Watch features a built-in microphone, allowing users to receive calls on their wrist, and is capable of displaying full emails.

Through the companion application, users can customise their Apple Watch, set reminders, create automatic responses to messages, and more.

The device's user interface is capable of distinguishing between a touch and a tap, and responds to voice commands via Siri.

Menus are made up of 'Glances' that are taken from first and third-party applications. Swiping left and right will cycle through each Glance.

For instance, users can control music from their Apple Watch on their iPhone, or listen to music stored locally on the watch using the same Glance.

Maps, Calendars, Messages and more benefit from their own Glance, and users can zoom in and out of the display via the 'digital crown' on the side of the watch's face.

Apple claims that the Apple Watch's battery will last for 18 hours during a day of typical usage.

Scores of apps will be available at launch, including music-tagging service Shazam, taxi-hailing software Uber, Facebook, Instagram and many more.

The Apple Watch is available in 38mm and 42mm and comes in three collections - Apple Watch Sport, priced at $450 and $510; Apple Watch, available from $720 to $1430; and Apple Watch Edition, crafted from custom rose or yellow 18-carat gold alloys, with prices starting at a whopping $12062.