Apple Watch is here: all-new UI, tons of customization, two sizes, meet the digital crown

[Justin Kahn]

Following the announcement of the new iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus and its new payments system, Apple went for "one more thing" and announced its much anticipated wearable, Apple Watch.

Described as the next chapter in Apple's history, Apple Watch was announced to a standing ovation. "It’s an extremely precise and customizable timepiece", said Tim Cook with a strong focus on the user interface experience.

The interface is mainly designed around a physical dial found on the side of the device as opposed to the mostly touch input we are used to current iOS devices. Known as the crown, Apple is reinventing the small dial found on the side of watches for years now. The digital crown works as a multi use interface controller, allowing the user to zoom in on maps, or scroll through lists, among many other things, without blocking the screen. While the digital crown handles much of the functionality, there is also touch input and as well as force detection on the display for various applications.

Seen above, the usual iOS home screen has been redesigned with a customizable collage of small circular app icons surrounding a small clock. Users can choose from a wide array of customizable feature throughout the UI. Apple has introduced a number of predictive features and a new glance mode to make messaging and viewing calendar entries, for example, much easier on the small display.

The hardware appears to feature Apple's usual attention to detail throughout with a sapphire Retina display as well as a gyroscope, accelerometer and photosensors to monitor heart rate data among other things.

Apple has a new SDK coming and already has a number of third party apps on the way including those from Nike, BMW, Pinterest, Facebook and others. There is also new dedicated Fitness and Health tracking apps that sync up with iOS 8.

Apple Watch features Digital Touch, a new form of communication, according to Apple. It allows the users to send little doodles drawn on the touch screen or even their heartbeat to each other. There are also walkie-talkie and tap modes to send small sound bites or a small haptic tap the receiver will feel on the wrist.

It will come in three distinct models including Apple Watch, Apple Watch Sport, and Apple Watch Edition. The sport model is what you would expect in terms of being made of more durable materials and the Apple Watch Edition is the premium model made of 18K gold. Each model comes in two sizes with a number of different straps color and styles.

Apple Watch will be available early next year and will start at $349.

Customization is the first win for Apple in wearables vs. today's competition

Infrared and LEDs are used to detect pulse rate from your wrist

Apple Watch Sport is distinctly sporty and colorful

The watch will sync and take advantage of iPhone's GPS and Wi-Fi

Permalink to story.

https://www.techspot.com/news/58006-apple-watch-is-here-all-new-ui-tons-of-customization-two-sizes-meet-the-digital-crown.html

 

[insect]

They forgot about one thing... a watch goes on your wrist. Ever tried to turn the crown while wearing the watch? Not the easiest of tasks even when all it does is change the minute hand.

Oh, and because it's an apple product the lack of touch screen will cost you $50 more.

Either way, watches are only a stepping stone to getting people to not feel weird wearing technology. No one will use these once Google Glass (or the like) become more acceptable (read: less obvious) because Glass is more intuitive and useful all the time. Smart watches are good for vibrating and telling you that you have a message... which your phone already did anyway.

 

[misor]

Is that a bubbles game interface on the apple smartwatch?
(now apple is patenting circular tiles)

 

[VitalyT]

Oh, and because it's an apple product the lack of touch screen will cost you $50 more.

Not wearing one will probably cost you even more

 

[VitalyT]

Is that a bubbles game interface on the apple smartwatch?
(now apple is patenting circular tiles)

I see bollox. That's what they should have called it, iBollox.

 

[Movatheaiur]

These will sell like hotcakes. People of all ages(mostly 13-37) will line up for this unnecessary piece of hardware.

 

[VitalyT]

These will sell like hotcakes. People of all ages(mostly 13-37) will line up for this unnecessary piece of hardware.

Kids between 13 and 40 will be the main consumers. I don't think any adult will buy it.

 

[Jad Chaar]

Wow really disappointing. $350 for a half-baked product? No thanks.

 

[VitalyT]

Wow really disappointing. $350 for a half-baked product? No thanks.

A whoopty deal for a half-baked brain

 

[Guest]

No cam???

 

[VitalyT]

Apple, taking the piss central-stage, priceless...

The innovation company that's just innovated the size of the phone...

Holly stinky...

 

[SNGX1275]

In a few years this thread will be amusing. The only real complaint I have about this device is that it looks too thick. That will likely be fixed by the Apple Watch 2. In the meantime, expect others to mimic this.

 

[Rippleman]

Apple could cure cancer and people would still cry that its apple..

 

[VitalyT]

In the meantime, expect others to mimic this.

Only on the premise that insanity and stupidity are both contagious.

 

[Skidmarksdeluxe]

No doubt it'll sell pretty well but remember it's still early days for smartwatches and things could improve as "time" goes on but $350 for the cheapest variant is abysmal but being Apple, overcharging is what they do best.
The problem with all manufacturers is that they put too much emphasis on the 'smart' part and not enough on the 'watch' part.
Personally I don't see any point in them right now but that could change in the future.

 

[VitalyT]

Apple could cure cancer and people would still cry that its apple..

We don't cry, this new cancer cure is amazing, the slave kids in china do, double-shifting for Apple unofficially, they think cancer is a myth, those stupid little kids...

 

[Rippleman]

We don't cry, the slave kids in china do, double-shifting for Apple unofficially.

all the slave kids do for any electronic company, you are right. But they are happy they have a job at all. Until the robots come.

 

[VitalyT]

all the slave kids do for any electronic company, you are right. But they are happy they have a job at all. Until the robots come.

Yes, we all should be as fortunate...

BSOD: sarcasm overflow.

 

[rub900]

So tired of Apple. Please just become tech history already.

 

[oldikes]

Smartwatches will be pointless to me until they are able to maintain some functionality on their own without a constant link to a smartphone

 

[Guest]

@Rippleman
You must be joking? This watch has nothing special. The design is at best okay. Both the Asus Zenwatch and the Moto 360 look much better. And as already said in another comment, have you ever tried using the crown when the watch is on your wrist? The Apple fanaticism is so ridiculous that this watch even got a standing ovation when it was presented. There is nothing surprising there, sheep always follow.

 

[Guest]

"There is nothing surprising there, sheep always follow."

Just like robots.

 

[SNGX1275]

So tired of Apple. Please just become tech history already.

and yet you are here, commenting on an Apple story.

 

[captaincranky]

Apple could cure cancer and people would still cry that its apple..

That's an interesting delusion, Apple taking interest in the human condition.

My generation had to take some really powerful psychedelics, if we wanted that big of a disconnect with reality.

 

[Trillionsin]

"Tons of customization" and "Apple" have never been said in the same sentence, Until now... and just now when I did it again.