Tim Cook says Apple Watch to launch in April

The long awaited Apple Watch which was first announced at the big Apple preview event on September 9 but was delayed many months before their first real wearable device is actually released.

Whilst Apple has been biding their time with their Apple Watch which comes in many variations including an expensive gold version, other companies like Lenovo with its Vibe Band VB10, Samsung with its own Wear line, and even a Fasetto wearable solid state drive all aiming to steal the march with early mover advantage from slow Apple.

Development of the Apple Watch is “going according to plan” according to Tim Cook, the CEO of Apple. However, whilst many expected the Apple Watch to finally be release in March a half year after its first announcement, news comes from Apple that April is far more likely.

Concerns Over Watch Features and Poor Battery Life

The Watch has come under fire even before its release for several reasons. These include the lack of a full range of features with the watch and the lackluster battery life expected. If the poor iPhone rarely lasts a few hours without a wall charger how well do you think a miniaturized version will last with a smaller battery and full color display?

The standby time will likely be impressive but users will need to accept a watch that dies from a low battery warning... and then can no longer even tell the time. Which after all is the primary reason to buy a watch in the first place, no? Or is it for the prestige of showing off the gold Apple Watch on the wrist?

New Software Apps for new Apple Watch GUI

The CEO also mentioned that the software innovation going on around the Apple Watch platform is exciting. Apple Pay integration is expected to please users who own both an iPhone and the Apple Watch.

Special Event Expected for Debut of Apple Watch

The actual release of the Apple Watch is likely to be approached with as much pomp and ceremony as the company can muster. With a wearable it is like going full circle back once again to digital watches that users will tap away on furiously trying to get them to do what they want on a small screen interface.

Staff Training Held in March

Staff within Apple including the retail stores will be receiving training in March about all the various features of the watch product. This way they will be able to explain and demonstrate them to visitors to the Apple Store and know what they're talking about.

Pricing

The price is expected to be pretty steep for the Apple Watch. There are several different models which use various materials so the prices are likely to be quite varied. Stock levels may not be terrific initially and it will be up to the company to correctly predict which designs will be preferred by consumers and greater production needed to satisfy demand. In many ways, this always helps Apple with the scarcity model that gets early adopters clambering for one of their new products to show off to their friends.

Hopefully the battery life has been given some additional thought in order to make sure that the watch has a little more staying power than Apple watchers (no pun intended) are expecting.