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After the iPod, iPad, iPhone or iTunes, Apple will launch today its new gadget: the Apple Watch.
It is the first new Apple product since the death of the legendary Steve Jobs, and a huge gamble for Apple CEO Tim Cook on a market which hasn’t grew as much as it was expected.
The Apple Watch is more than a gadget. It wishes to be a fashion statement, as well, and Apple made sure of its intentions when it purchased large advertising space in the March issue of Vogue.
If the smartwatch market is still quite small, Apple wants it’s first new product in five years, to boost interest in this sector. It is not yet known when the Apple Watch will be available for sale, while large retainers, like Bloomingdale’s or Macy’s, announced they don’t have plans to sell the watch at this stage.
Still, the smartwatch could be a game-changer in the market. The Apple Watch will be able to take phone calls, send emails and texts, but also will present news and give notifications to the one who wears it.
It will also have an accelerometer and a heart rate monitor, and other apps are expected for he new product, which could be used as an electronic key for cars or hotel doors.
Apple has a great history of breaking through where other competitors have struggled. The Cupertino based company has revolutionized the digital music player market with the iPod, and even the smartphone an tablets scenes with its iPhone and iPad, respectively.
The problems Apple is trying to solve this time seem quite hard. Most smartwatches are dependent on smartphones, and few people find the use for a new expensive gadget. Other smartwatches, like those produced by Samsung, Sony or LG, have similar features and in spite of this last year only 5 million units were sold worldwide.
By comparison, Apple sold more than 74 million iPhones in the last quarter. The Apple Watch is more expensive than its competitors.
The starting price is $349, but experts suggest that the average price will be of $550 for a customized watch.
Technology specialists expect Apple to sell between eight million to 40 million watches this year. The big question for Apple is how many will it sell next year.
Image Souce: VR World
