Apple Watch unveiled after months of speculation

PanARMENIAN.Net - Apple has launched its first wearable - the Apple Watch - after months of speculation about the device, Digital Spy reported.

Designed to work alongside the new iPhone 6, which was also launched on Tuesday (September 9), the wearable is the first of its kind from the Cupertino firm.

The Apple Watch's touchscreen face is comprised of four sapphire lenses, while a gyroscope and accelerometer come built in.

The wearable accessory includes a "digital crown" on the side, which grants quick access to the home screen, and allows users to zoom into the display and scroll up and down lists.

It also serves as a health and fitness device thanks to an array of built-in sensors, and automatically activates when the user raises their wrist.

Syncing with an iPhone, the wearable lets users send messages, interact with Siri, view photos on their wrist, listen to music, and even check their pulse rate.

Six different straps will be available for the Apple Watch, along with a mechanism that makes them interchangeable. There will also be a broad range of digital watch faces available.

The user interface consists of dozens of tiny round icons and introduces the concept of "force-touching", which differentiates between hard and soft taps.

The Apple Watch offers turn-by-turn navigation via Apple Maps and the iPhone's location data, using vibrations to prompt them where to turn.

Numerous Watch applications were revealed at the Cupertino event, including native apps for Facebook and Twitter, with the latter allowing users to reply to tweets via voice functionality.

A new communication app called Digital Touch lets users send digital sketches to each other and even send their heartbeat to other Apple Watch owners.

On-board fitness apps including Fitness and Workout will make use of the device's biometric sensors, as well as its accelerometer and the synced iPhone's GPS.

The Apple Watch also controls Apple TV, serves as a remote control for the iPhone camera, and works as a walkie-talkie.

"We set out to make the best watch in the world. It's precise, synced to the internet, accurate to within 50 milliseconds," said Apple CEO Tim Cook. "It's customisable and also a comprehensive health and fitness device."

Coming in men's and women's sizes, the Apple Watch requires a smartphone to use and is compatible with iPhone 5 and up. Prices start at $349 and the device will be available early next year.