FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contacts
Ava Burgio
Aidan Arnold
Charlie Collier

CUPERTINO, California. (Sept. 9, 2014) – CEO Tim Cook announced Apple’s first-ever Apple Watch by surprise at the end of the company’s annual new product keynote in Cupertino, California this past Tuesday, September 9th. It’s official: Apple has now entered the smartwatch industry.

Before revealing the Apple Watch, Tim Cook introduced the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus at the Flint Center at De Anza College. These new iPhones generated excitement from the audience with their innovative technology and memorable features, including the fact that they are the thinnest models yet. If this isn’t exciting enough, Tim Cook surprised the audience by unveiling Apple’s most groundbreaking product yet: the Apple Watch, marking the company’s bold entry into wearable technology. 

“We’ve really gone through enough to call it a day,” Tim Cook joked with the audience before adding, “but we’re not quite finished yet. We have one more thing,” which sent the audience into a rupture of applause and standing ovations. “We’ve been working incredibly hard for a long time on an entirely new product, and we believe this product will redfine what people expect from its category. I am so excited and I am so proud to share it with you this morning,” Cook said, revealing the product as “the next chapter in Apple’s story,” followed by a captivating launch video of the first-ever Apple Watch. 

As opposed to the variety of digital watches released before this week, the Apple Watch addresses the limitations that most of these watches face. Gone are the days of buttons so small they require a stylus or the time only appearing when the front button is pressed. Apple has integrated revolutionary technology that has resolved these issues, making the smartwatch more user-friendly than ever.

The brand-new Apple Watch features a sapphire-glass screen for incredible clarity and scratch resistance, with the added benefit of a seamless wraparound look unlike any other smartwatch. In addition to this protective layer of strengthened Ion-X glass, the Watch is stylish, providing users with over 15 different colors of fluoroelastomer bands to choose from. Luckily for those looking to purchase an Apple Watch online, it comes shipped with a Woven Nylon Band in sizes the user can select. No need to worry about making a separate purchase in addition to your new watch. 

In addition to the innovation and style of the Apple Watch’s screen and band, the Digital Crown has been introduced as a powerful navigation tool. This revolutionary step allows users to communicate in ways they never could imagine, right from their wrists. It’s now possible to send and receive text messages, answer calls, and send information as personal as your location, sketches, and even your own heartbeat to other Apple Watch users. 

Another set of groundbreaking new features are the Health and Fitness components of the new Apple Watch. As Tim Cook explained on stage, the watch comes equipped with powerful fitness-tracking software that pairs with various apps. The built-in Activity app allows users to view their health stats anytime, tracking movement through the ‘move,’ ‘stand,’ and ‘exercise’ categories. A colored ring closes once specific fitness goals are completed, making it easier than ever to keep track of your health. 

To take a closer look at the statistics covered by the Activity app, the Apple Watch measures the number of steps taken by the user, as well as their caffeine intake, blood pulse, calories consumed, and heart rate. While all of these metrics are significant, the calorie count stands out as an especially valuable tool for those on a weight-loss journey. By allowing their users to target specific health goals, Apple has not only set a new standard for smartwatches but has also positioned Apple Watch users for success by providing them with motivation right on their wrist. 

While Apple has already transformed the smartwatch landscape with these innovations, it’s important that the watch also integrates seamlessly with Apple’s existing technology. With this in mind, Apple unveiled a set of apps from third party developers that carry over from the iPhone to the watch. Highlights include an app by Nike that uses the fitness tracking to let you compete with your friends, and an app that allows you to use your Apple Watch as a room key at select hotels.  With a commitment to continuous improvement and user-centric design, Apple will undoubtedly unveil new advancements that enhance our lives, making technology more integrated than ever. 

In the meantime, Tim Cook left us to imagine what’s next regarding the future of the Apple Watch: “The list of features is a mile long. And I’m certain when developers get their hands on the developer kit, that list will get even longer and there will be things that we couldn’t even imagine in it.”

Tim Cook finishes the Apple Watch presentation by explaining their purpose in creating the device. The Watch was a surprise announcement at the end of an already packed keynote.

Jay Blahnik explains the focus the Apple Watch has on health technology. The Apple Watch is equipped with high-tech sensors that integrate with various apps.

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