Apple Watch in detail: on personalization, storage, charging, and more

posted by Nick T. / Mar 17, 2015, 8:49 AM

Apple Watch in detail: on personalization, storage, charging, and more

April 24th – that's when the long-awaited Apple Watch will launch commercially and make its way to the wrists of all eager to grab one. The first few million units of the hot wearable will be released in the U.S., the U.K., Canada, China, and more of Apple's key markets for a starting price hovering around the $350 mark. What does one get in exchange for all this cash? Well, we've outlined what the smart wearable can do in our exhaustive Apple Watch news coverage, and now, we have even more details on the matter.

It is known that the Apple Watch will feature multiple pre-loaded watch faces of different styles. These will be customizable – you'll be allowed to pick what information is displayed and to change the color of the watch face to your liking. This allows for millions of watch face combinations to be produced, so personalization shouldn't be an issue with the Watch. Still, downloadable watch faces are not in Apple's plans at this time.

Speaking of personalization, all Apple Watch bands of the same size will be interchangeable. Nothing will stop you from equipping a $17,000 Watch Edition with a lime green sports band, if you feel like it. Of course, additional bands will be made available from Apple's store, if at some point you decide to change the one on your watch.

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On the front of the Apple Watch resides a display of 272 by 340 or 312 by 390 pixels for the 38- and 42-millimeter models respectively. The screen, however, does not have an always-on mode like Android Wear watches do. That's most likely to prevent unnecessary battery use. Users may wake the smartwatch's screen with a tap or by lifting their wrist. If needed, the latter gesture can be disabled.

As previously reported, the three Apple Watch variants come with 8GB of storage, some of which is occupied by Watch OS. Yes, that's the official name of the wearable's operating system. Music can be stored on the wearable – up to 2GB of space may be allocated for audio, which can be played back over a Bluetooth headset independently of the user's iPhone.

And if you're curious about the Apple Watch's charging mechanisms, rest assured that the process will be hassle-free. The smartwatch blends Apple's MagSafe technology and inductive wireless charging to provide the wearable with juice. Bring the Watch's battery from zero to 80% or full will take 1.5 or 2.5 hours respectively, which is somewhat longer than what an Android Wear watch takes to recharge. Not a biggie since you'll be charging the Apple Watch overnight anyway. The magnetic charging cradle for the Apple Watch will feature a generous, 6.5-feet (2-meter) cable which will plug into a wall charger or USB port, as revealed by documentation at the FCC.

More on the Apple Watch:

sources: Apple, FCC

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8 Comments

1. SamsungEU

Posts: 147; Member since: Dec 29, 2014

Hope the Orbis will smoke this overpriced toy

posted on Mar 17, 2015, 8:53 AM 2

4. sgodsell

Posts: 7522; Member since: Mar 16, 2013

The bands are all proprietary so your only option is to buy the bands from Apple with their premium prices. Extra or new rubberized bands cost $50 US, the leather band classic will set you back $150 US, the leather band modern buckle will cost $250 US, and the stainless steel link band will set you back $450. A number of other smart watches offer considerably better pricing for the same materials and even better looks. Apple knows they can charge whatever they want, because you can't use 3rd party bands from regular watches, unlike most of the other smart watches that are currently on the market.

posted on Mar 17, 2015, 10:58 AM 0

6. thxultra

Posts: 470; Member since: Oct 16, 2014

With the prices apple is charging you know knock off bands are going to come from China. Sure they are proprietary but that will not stop the knock offs. Apple watch looks sweet but apple is crazy on the prices they are charging for the bands and it will not take long for knock off companies to jump on the chance to make a easy buck here.

posted on Mar 17, 2015, 4:11 PM 1

7. sgodsell

That is true. But you can also bet your bottom dollar that Apple will sue anyone for trying to make and sell Apples proprietary and patented bands. Especially if it cuts into Apples sales of their bands. I will also guarantee that if 3rd party bands are made, then the bands will be under Apples scrutiny, especially pricing.

posted on Mar 17, 2015, 9:38 PM 0

10. TechieXP1969

Posts: 14967; Member since: Sep 25, 2013

Those bands from China aren't knock-off, they are the same one Apple is having made. Apple simply marked them up. Example, the company that makes the headphones for Apple, Apple sells for $20.00, but you can buy direct for $5.00