Apple’s jump into wearables, the anticipated Apple Watch, has been approved by the Federal Communications Commission, ahead of its launch in April, an update to Apple’s website indicated on Tuesday.
Apple removed the footnote that said it hadn’t been approved by the regulatory agency. The removal of the text indicates the Cupertino-based company has been approved.
“This device has not been authorized as required by the rules of the Federal Communications Commission,” the Apple Watch webpage read before Tuesday, “This device is not, and may not be, offered for sale or lease, or sold or leased, until authorization is obtained.”
An FCC website explains why the government gets involved in the approval process of new devices, before they’re allowed to go on sale:
The FCC is responsible for governing the interference potential of equipment which emits radio frequency energy. It does this by first establishing technical regulations for transmitters and other equipment to minimize their potential for causing interference to radio services and then administering an equipment authorization program to ensure that equipment reaching the market complies with the technical requirements.
Apple announced it will launch the Apple Watch in Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, United Kingdom, and the US when shipments begin on April 24.
Like with all new device launches, Apple will have to gain regulatory approval in all of the countries it plans to sell the Apple Watch in. We’ve reached out to Apple for details on the Apple Watch’s approval.
While the Apple Watch doesn’t go on sale until late-April, Apple says it will begin in-store previews and pre-orders in-store and online on April 10th.
Source: 9to5mac