Apple has unveiled the price, release date, and a number of new features of the Apple Watch, the company's first step into the wearable technology market.
Apple also showed off a number of apps for the Apple Watch, including the likes of Instagram, Uber and Facebook.
In fact, it is likely these apps that will be the key to the Apple Watch's success. While the new device certainly has some great features to back it up, that alone is not enough to give the Apple Watch an edge over other wearables on the market.
There's no question that the Apple Watch will sell in the millions. Apple's marketing prowess continues to go unmatched, as does its easy-to-use and functional software. However, users do not want to be forced to use Apple's apps. They want a versatile device that can tailor to all their needs.
Thankfully, it seems as though Apple is well underway to achieve this. Thousands of developers have reportedly been working on Apple Watch apps, with only a few of those apps being shown off at Apple's Spring Forward event.
If those apps are anything to go by, however, Apple is headed for success. Users will be able to see their social media notifications on the device, hail an Uber ride, and even message their friends, all straight from their wrist.
Fitness features will also be very important in making the Apple Watch. Tracking health has become somewhat of a trend in the last few years with devices like the Fitbit. If the fitness-aware are going to be giving up wrist space, it needs to be for a device that can track just as much as their fitness bands. The Apple Watch can track steps, heart rate, distance, and more, making it more than capable of helping the fitness junkies track their activity.
While the Apple Watch will make waves in the wearable market, it's important to remember a few things. First of all, this is the first Apple Watch. When we compare the iPhone 6 with the first iPhone, the first iPhone seems like it might work better as a paperweight. This is likely to be the same situation with the Apple Watch. As time goes on, Apple will refine the device, developers will create more and more apps for it, and the design of the device will get better and more advanced.
The Apple Watch will go up for pre-order on April 10 and will go on sale on April 24. It will start at $349 for the Apple Watch Sport.
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