And the big day is finally here. Apple has an event later tonight where it is expected to launch its first wearable — the Apple Watch — and take the wraps off pricing of all its different variants. Furthermore, the Cupertino-based company could also use the event to announce its refreshed 11-inch and 13-inch MacBook Air lineups, as well as release the iOS 8.2 update. Here’s everything we expect from the event tonight.
Apple Watch
Unveiled at the iPhone 6 event in September last year, the Apple Watch is the company’s first wearable gadget — also the first new product line since iPad release in 2010. The Watch comes in three different variants: Apple Watch (basic), Apple Watch Sport (for fitness enthusiasts) and Apple Watch Edition (the luxury edition). While we know that the most basic variant of the Apple Watch will cost $349, pricing details of other variants in unknown as of now.
Apple expert John Gruber has noted his prediction for the prices of different variants of the Watch. According to which, this is what different Watch variants will cost.
- Apple Watch Sport (all colors, with Sport Band): $349/399
- Apple Watch, steel, Sport Band: $749/799
- Apple Watch, steel, Classic Buckle: $849/899
- Apple Watch, steel, Milanese Loop: $949/999
- Apple Watch, steel, Modern Buckle (38mm only): $1199
- Apple Watch, steel, Leather Loop (42mm only): $1299
- Apple Watch, steel, Link Bracelet: $1499/1599
- Apple Watch, space black steel, Link Bracelet: $1899/1999
- Apple Watch Edition, Sport Band: $7499/7999
- Apple Watch Edition, Modern Buckle (38mm only): $9999
- Apple Watch Edition, Classic Buckle (42mm only): $10,999
- Apple Watch Edition, Gold Milanese Loop: $14,999/$16,999
- Apple Watch Edition, Gold Link Bracelet: $17,999/$19,999
Jonathan S. Geller, editor at our sister site BGR Classic, however, believes that the top-of-the-line Watch could cost as much as $19,999.
The iOS 8.2 update
BGR Classic reports that Apple will be using today’s event to also announce the release of iOS 8.2 to the public. The publication has also revealed the changelog of the forthcoming update to its mobile operating system. According to which, the update primarily focuses on Health Kit improvements and stability enhancements. You can read it below.
The iOS 8.2 update adds support for the Watch to the iPhone. The update reportedly brings with a Companion app for the iPhone which will allow users to manage many of the settings — including controls for the accessibility options, Watch behaviors, and an unannounced feature which will allow users to create custom watch face — on the Apple Watch.
Health Kit improvements
- Adds the ability to select the unit of measurement for body temperature, weight, height, distance, and blood glucose
- Improves stability when dealing with large amounts of data
- Includes the ability to add and visualise workout sessions from 3rd-party apps
- Addresses an issue that may have prevented users from adding a photo in Medical ID
- Fixes units for vitamins and minerals
- Fixes an issue where Health data wouldn’t refresh after changes data source order
- Fixes an issue where some graphics showed no data values
- Adds a privacy setting that enables turning off tracking of steps, distance, and flights climbed
Stability Enhancements
- Increases stability of Mail
- Improves stability of Flyover in Maps
- Improves stability of Music
- Improves VoiceOver reliability
- Improves connectivity with Made for iPhone Hearing Aids
Refreshed 11-inch and 13-inch MacBook Airs
Apple is also expected to reveal the refreshed MacBook Air lineups. The company had done it last year as well — and much like back then — the two MacBook Airs aren’t really expected to get a substantial upgrade. In fact, according to a leak from last week, the refreshed 13-inch MacBook will have a faster 1.6GHz Intel Broadwell Core i5-5250U (up from 1.4GHz dual-core Intel Core i5) paired with Intel HD Graphics 6000 (up from HD Graphics 5000). Other improvements include battery bump to 7,422mAh. No changes in the display panel (hence resolution) and RAM.
12-inch Retina MacBook Air
While the chances of the release of this long-rumored product doesn’t seem as likely, the company could finally give the world a Retina-capable MacBook Air laptop. The 12-inch Retina MacBook Air is expected to come with a USB Type C port, which is both a good news and bad. The new USB connector will ensure that we are able to plug in the data cable either way, but it won’t be compatible with our existing USB 2.0 and 3.0 port supported devices. Which includes, like, all of our devices. Other change in the notebook, besides the Retina screen, of course, is stretched out keyboard, which according to a report from earlier this year now spreads further along the sides.
The event will begin at 10.30PM (IST) tonight. It will be live streamed, and here’s how you can watch it.