Apple Watch disponível a partir de 24 de Abril - "the most advanced timepiece ever created"?

O Apple Watch estará disponível para venda a partir de 24 de Abril na Austrália, Canadá, China, França, Alemanha, Hong Kong, Japão, Reino Unido e Estados Unidos, anunciou hoje a marca. A partir de 10 de Abril, o relógio poderá ser visto e encomendado nas lojas Apple.

Dos apontamentos que retirámos da apresentação hoje ocorrida nos Estados Unidos, ficam poucas novidades sobre aquilo que já se sabia do Apple Watch.

"And that’s what everyone at Apple is focused on — pushing forward and creating the future.” – disse na altura Tim Cook

Para a Apple, "this is the most personal Apple device ever. Apple Watch isn’t just with you, it’s on you".

E sublinha: "It’s the most advanced timepiece ever created. A device that will revolutionize how you connect with others. And a comprehensive health and fitness companion."

Se já tem iPhone, que faz tudo o que o Apple Watch vai fazer, para quê usar um segundo telefone no pulso? Há quem pense, no entanto, que o mercado potencial destes relógios ligados à rede se mede aos milhões de unidades. A ver vamos...

E tudo isto a dias da maior feira de Relojoaria do sector, em Basileia, onde a Apple, obviamente, não estará.

2015 - o ano do princípio do fim da indústria relojoeira trradicional - diga-se, suíça? Moda passageira de mais um gadget? Ou coexistência, mesmo que não pacífica, entre dois mundos?

Outras notas:

Apple Watch is designed to appeal to a broad range of personal styles. Stainless steel cases in two beautiful finishes — traditional and space black. Anodized aluminum cases in silver or space gray. 18-karat gold cases in yellow or rose.

Apple Watch has many different faces that you can change and customize. Customize watch faces with useful information — like the weather or your next calendar event. Swipe up from the watch face for Glances, quick summaries of the information you use most.

In the Now Playing Glance, you can control your music right from your wrist.

When you receive a notification, the Taptic Engine alerts you with a gentle tap. See who’s calling without having to reach for your phone. Answer right on Apple Watch using the built-in speaker and mic — and make phone calls, too.

Digital Touch lets you send a sketch, a tap, or even your heartbeat to other people wearing Apple Watch. Apple Watch is a comprehensive health and fitness companion. A simple three-ring graphic provides a snapshot of your all-day activity. Apple Watch encourages you to sit less. Move more. And get some exercise.

Each Monday, Apple Watch suggests a new daily Move goal based on your previous week’s activity. The Workout app provides more detailed measurement during specific activities.

Apple Watch ran its first half-marathon — with Christy Turlington Burns. She’s a model, mother, and maternal health advocate. Tim plays a film about Christy Turlington Burns running a half-marathon in Tanzania with Apple Watch.

In addition to timekeeping, communications, and health and fitness, Apple Watch lets you do so much more. Notifications you receive on iPhone can automatically appear on Apple Watch.

The WatchKit SDK is helping developers design all-new app experiences specifically for Apple Watch. Raise your wrist and say “Hey Siri” to do all kinds of things with Apple Watch.

Open an app, get directions, make a phone call, and more. Get timely activity reminders and progress updates throughout the day. You can buy lunch at places like Whole Foods using Apple Pay on Apple Watch.

You can scroll through and like images on Instagram right from your wrist.

Request a ride on Uber with Apple Watch. Without reaching for your phone. You’ll also get a notification when your car is arriving.

Apple Watch will pull your boarding pass from Passbook when you’re near the airport.

The SPG app on Apple Watch lets you check into your hotel and unlock your room. There’s also a new Apple Watch app on iPhone. The app is how you set up Apple Watch and choose which notifications to receive. The Apple Watch app is available for download today in iOS 8.2. The App Store section of the Apple Watch app is where you can see and download apps.

Apple Watch has all-day battery life across a range of activities. During a typical day, you can expect up to 18 hours of battery life. Charging Apple Watch is a snap. Simply attach the magnetic charger to the back of the watch.

Apple Watch is available in three collections. Apple Watch Sport. Apple Watch. Apple Watch Edition. Apple Watch Sport has cases made from anodized aluminum in either silver or space gray. The aluminum used to make Apple Watch Sport is 60% stronger than standard alloys but just as light. The Apple Watch collection features stainless steel cases in two beautiful finishes — traditional and space black. The stainless steel used to make the cases becomes up to 80% harder through a specialized cold-forging process.

The bands receive the same careful consideration. Each links bracelet is made from more than 140 individual parts. Apple Watch Edition is crafted from 18-karat solid yellow or rose gold.