Apple poised to release Apple Watch to public in March 2015

Consumer tech titan Apple is poised for a late February/early March launch of its new Apple Watch smartwatch device, a video message by an Apple VP suggests.

Apple CEO Tim Cook first unveiled the Apple Watch on 9 September. He described the gadget as “the most personal device ever made”.

At the time, Cook said the smartwatch will be available “early in the new year”.

But now a transcript of a video message, seen by 9to5Mac, by Apple senior vice-president of Retail and Online Stores Angela Ahrendts suggests Apple is planning to launch the device after the Chinese new year, which falls on 19 February 2015. 

That suggests Apple is planning to launch the smartwatch in the closing days of February or at a date in early March.

Since Apple tends to launch its new devices on a Tuesday, for example, that date could either be 24 February or on 3 March or 10 March.

The launch of the Apple Watch may come a little later than consumers had anticipated.

Product release ‘marathon’ at Apple

The Apple Watch features sensors on both its front and back

In the video message, Ahrendts likened the current product release drive to a “marathon”.

“We’re going into the holidays, we’ll go into Chinese new year, and then we’ve got a new watch launch coming in the spring.”

The Apple Watch, which can be navigated by sensors on the front as well as sensors on its back, features a winding device akin to a click wheel on its side, which Apple calls the Digital Crown.

The watch can send and receive messages, as well as answer calls from iPhone 5, iPhone 5c, iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus smartphones.

The device will come in two sizes: 38mm and 42mm, and is spread across distinct collections – Apple Watch, Apple Watch Sport and Apple Watch Edition.

In terms of materials, the Apple Watch is available in custom alloys of polished or space black stainless steel, space gray or silver anodized aluminum and 18-karat rose or yellow gold.

A special Watch Kit for third-party developers will soon be made available.

Already car manufacturers, such as BMW, have created Apple Watch apps for electric-car owners, and hotel chains are looking at the ability to have guests check in and unlock room doors via the smartwatch.