Apple Watch

Apple finally attacks the wrist

By Gareth Beavis | 6 months ago

Apple

Verdict

Probably one of the best smartwatches on the market - but still not enough to convince us this is a real category.

PROS:

• Clever interface
• Multiple sizes

CONS:

• Slightly chunky
• Could be expensive at higher models

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Most of us expected the Apple Watch to appear in 2015, but it's made a (semi) surprise launch with the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus.
It sadly won't be seen until next year though, which means this is a deliberate ploy by Apple to make sure you're not buying a Samsung, LG or Moto 360 option in the run up to Christmas.
But there's a pretty good reason for most to hang on - this is a very stylish wearable indeed.

Apple's clearly aiming this at the fashion market as much as the person who loves to be an early adopter - given the smartwatch market is still yet to take off, it makes sense to focus further afield in terms of consumer targeting.

Design

The Apple Watch is coming in six different versions: there's the Apple Watch, the Apple Watch Sport and the Apple Watch Edition. And each of these comes in two sizes, for those that like a larger or smaller device for their wrist.
You can't call it a lady or man's watch, but there will be those that do, and it's opened Apple up to a new market in doing so.
While I expected it to be rounded, the fact is the Apple Watch looks like a small fusion between iPhone 6 and iPod Nano. It's not unattractive, but it is on the chunkier side of things.

It's rounded, which works in its favour, and the curved back makes it feel nice, if a little heavy (depending on the band) on the wrist.
The interface is curious, but I really think Apple has done better than most with the way it's approached interacting with a wrist-dwelling device.
The Digital Crown is essentially a scroll wheel that lets you zoom in and out of the interface, so for apps (with a fun new home screen that looks NOTHING like the iPhone's version, more a spherical look at all the apps available on the watch).
Tapping it in sends you back to the home screen, but you can also use the touchscreen on the Watch to to interact with apps.
I'll dive deeper into this very shortly, but the interface is at least intuitive for a smartwatch.