Apple's Smartwatch To Go On Sale Next Month

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Apple CEO Tim Cook has claimed the company's new smartwatch is the "most advanced timepiece ever created", as he revealed more details about the technology giant's latest device.

It will go on sale in the US, Britain and China on 24 April, with preorders taken from 10 April.

The main Apple Watch will start at £479 and go up to £519.

The Sport incarnation of the device will start at £299 for the 38mm face, and the 42mm version is £339.

The high end model, a limited edition 18 carat gold watch, will set you back at least £8,000 with prices rising to £13,500 - a revelation that drew gasps from the crowd that gathered for the announcement.

Reaction to the device has been mixed so far, according to Sky's Technology Correspondent Tom Cheshire.

Mr Cook said: "The Apple Watch is the most personal device we have ever created. It is not just with you, it is on you.

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Gallery: A Look At The New Apple Watch

The new device will carry a host of features which Apple hopes will make the watch a winner

Users will be able to make calls, read email, control music, manage Instagram photos, keep up with their workouts, pay for groceries - and even open a hotel room door

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The watch will tell you if you've been sat down too long, sending a reminder that it's time to move. A new workout app will offer weekly summaries and goal suggestions

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Prices start at $349 for a basic model - but a luxury gold one will set you back $10,000

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Every watch will have different faces and different configurations to choose from, including traditional and digital faces, or one featuring Mickey Mouse.

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"And since what you wear is an expression of who you are, we designed Apple Watch to appeal to a whole variety of people with different tastes and different preferences.

"But the one thing that is consistent is we crafted each one of them with the care you would expect from Apple and used incredibly beautiful materials."

Industry watchers are keen to see if Apple's version will be the tipping point for the smartwatch market, which has proved sluggish so far.

There was similar scepticism when Apple launched the iPad in 2010, but the company has gone on to sell millions of the tablets and its popularity has shaken up the PC market.

The Apple Watch will be the first new device the company has launched without co-founder Steve Jobs, who died in 2011.

Every watch will have different faces and different configurations to choose from, including traditional and digital faces.

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Gallery: Apple Watch: What It's Up Against

The Samsung Gear is one of the rivals to the Apple Watch. Features include a camera and a super AMOLED screen, and you can also use it to control your TV

The Samsung Gear can hook up to 17 phones and tablets and there are more than 200 third-party apps available. Basic models start from around £160

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Mr Cook told those gathered in San Francisco, California, that you can add the date of your next meeting or check your heart rate.

Users will also be able to receive calls with a built-in speaker and microphone.

A technology called Digital Touch will allow Apple Watches to connect to one another, meaning you can get a friend's attention by tapping on your watch.

The Apple Watch, which Mr Cook said will last for 18 hours on a typical day, tracks your daily movements and reminds users if they have been sitting down for too long.

People will be able to view photos, control music and receive notifications that they currently get on an iPhone - such as news alerts and social media updates.

Despite the high price for some of the models, many industry experts are predicting the Apple Watch will be a success.

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Gallery: A Legacy: Apple Products Timeline

The Apple II was the first computer that Apple made in large numbers. It was released in 1977

The Macintosh was released in 1984 and was the first mass-produced personal computer to feature a mouse

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Tom Parsons, reviews editor at gadget magazine Stuff, said: "The price is really high, but that's not going to put gadget fans off stumping up the cash for an Apple Watch."

Ernest Doku, technology expert at comparison site uSwitch.com, said: "Apple claims this is the most advanced timepiece ever created, but some of the features seem like the tech giant was scraping the barrel for unnecessary unique selling points.

"Digital Touch is essentially a personalised emoticons app with slightly classier graphics, for example.

"But gimmicks aside, this really is a elegant and luxurious gadget, while also being extremely useful for health and fitness fans, who it's heavily targeted at."

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