Apple Watch Launch Live: Smartwatch includes messaging, calls, health apps

Live Blog Apple Watch Launch

Apple-Watch

Apple Inc Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook on Monday is expected to announce details of the first product developed under his leadership, a watch that Apple hopes will transform the market of wearable technology.

The company provided a sneak preview of the 'Apple Watch' in September, has shown it to fashionistas, and even bought a 12-page advertising spread in Vogue magazine, but fans and skeptics are eager for more details.

With a rectangular face of about 1.5 inches (38 mm) in the smaller of two sizes, the watch wirelessly tethers to an iPhone, measures heart rate, and can tap wearers on the wrist to signal a new message or appointment. The price will start at $349. Apple has said the watch will launch in April and speculation is rife on what capabilities, from healthcare and fitness to navigation and entertainment, will be included. Apple fans have been waiting for a new type of product for five years, raising expectations.

It is an open question whether Apple or anyone else can create a new market for watches. The first watches based on Google Inc's Android Wear software became available last year.

Companies, including Samsung Electronics Co Ltd, LG Electronics Inc, Huawei Technologies Co Ltd and Qualcomm Inc, collectively have not yet had a wearable hit. More companies are expected to test the waters this year, including possibly Xiaomi Technology Co Ltd, China's largest maker of smartphones.