Year: 2014

The technology behind the Apple Watch

It's safe to say that no one knew anything about the Apple Watch until it was revealed on stage at Cupertino's Flint Center, just a few hours ago. With that in mind, expectations were varied, and it was hard to guess what type of tech Apple would be putting into its diminutive device.

Sure, we heard rumblings about some of the various sensors that might be included in the watch, and some of it was common sense more than anything. But ultimately, what was just unveiled by Tim Cook and company came as a surprise to us all.

We've already broken down many of the personalization options and design principals, but the technology behind the Apple Watch is especially fascinating. Inside, we'll talk about some of the most prominent technological feats to make its way to Apple's inaugural wearable device.

Apple Watch promo videos

Apple has just published the Apple Watch promo videos to its YouTube channel. And because the Apple Watch won't be available until next year, that's pretty much as close as you'll get to one until then. Watch, enjoy, and share what you think about it all in the comments section.

An overview of Apple Watch apps and software

We're still trying to sift through all of the information Apple dropped on us this morning regarding its new smartwatch, and I have to admit, it's been tough. There is just so much to this device, and so much it can do, it's tough to figure out where to begin picking out points of interest to pass along to our readers.

But we knew for sure that we wanted to highlight some of the software features and apps Apple showed off for its Watch today, such as Phone, Messaging, Siri and more. So we put together a brief overview, if you will, highlighting what we thought were some of the Watch applications and features worth noting.

Apple Watch design: 3 collections, 6 finishes, 18 bands, 2 sizes, 11 faces

The Apple Watch is as much about individuality and customizability as it is about technology. Tim Cook and company proudly showcased the many customization options available for the Apple Watch, and it is quite impressive.

Whereas other wearable have launched with perhaps a handful of self-identifying options, the Apple Watch features a gaggle of possible combinations. It's quite possible that everyone in your circle could buy an Apple Watch, and all of them would look vastly different.

The Apple Watch comes in 3 collections, 6 different finishes, a plethora or bands, two sizes, and nearly a dozen faces. Its a mix and matcher's dream, and certainly one of its biggest selling points. Check inside, as we break down all that the Apple Watch has to offer when it comes to personalization.

iPhone 6 and 6 Plus get extended battery life

One of the big features many users were hoping to see in iPhone 6 was better battery life, and in some ways they got it. The iPhone 6 outlasts the iPhone 5s by 10 hours playing audio, one hour playing video and Wi-Fi browsing, and it performs much better over 3G. For the most part, however, everything else is the same.

Apple seeds iOS 8 GM to developers

As expected, Apple has seeded the GM (or Golden Master) version of iOS 8 to developers today, ahead of its public September 17th release. Registered developers can grab the new beta from either the online dev portal as a standalone download.

Apple Watch starts at $349, available early next year

Apple just answered perhaps the most-asked question in the tech world over the last two years by unveiling the 'Apple Watch,' and now there are just two questions left to ask: how much is it, and when can I get it? Tim Cook just announced that the Watch starts at $349, and will be available early next year.

This is the Apple Watch, Apple’s first foray into wearables

In addition to the new iPhones, Apple's finally taken the wraps off its highly-anticipated wearable device during the invite-only press event held Tuesday morning at the Flint Center for the Performing Arts in its hometown of Cupertino, California.

They're calling it the Apple Watch and it files as the first truly category-defining product released under Cook's leadership after Steve Jobs' passing.

Apple introduces new mobile payment service “Apple Pay”

It turns out the rumors were true, Apple has been putting together a new mobile payment service, and it introduced it on stage today as "Apple Pay." The service involves adding your credit cards to Passbook, and waiving your iPhone in front of what looks like an NFC reader to pay for goods and services in-store.

Apple says that security and privacy are very integral to Apple Pay. It doesn't store your credit card numbers, nor does it transfer them to the merchant, and it doesn't log what you buy or how much you pay for it. It simply creates a complex number for your card, and uses a one-time code for when you make payments.

iOS 8 will be available on September 17th

Apple's much-anticipated iOS 8 upgrade will be available on September 17th, just two days before the release of the iPhone 6 and the iPhone 6 Plus. The upgrade will become available as a delta upgrade for existing devices running iOS 7. All iPhone 6 devices will come with iOS 8 preinstalled.