Apple’s Watch is supposedly due for a March launch, according to both old and new rumours.
But over the last week, some keen eyed bloggers noticed that while the Apple Watch at the US Apple site noted the watch is ‘Coming Early 2015’, other Apple sites around the world simply note the watch is ‘Available in 2015’.
Sadly, Australia appears to be in the latter camp, which might mean Australians won’t see the Apple Watch launch locally until mid-year, or perhaps even later.
You can see the US Apple Watch site here and you can see the Australian Apple Watch site here where you can see the difference in the language.
It was noted on overseas sites that some European countries had also been listed as 'Available in 2015' but had, over the last week, suddenly had their designations changed to 'Coming Early 2015', so there's hope yet that Australians might also get the watch when those in the US and parts of Europe do, but the fact our Watch page hasn't changed yet isn't a good sign of this happening.
There's still time, of course, but it doesn't look like March will be with us. Perhaps May the 4th will be with you, and us, being only a couple of months after March, but who knows beyond Apple's internal people who decide these things?
Apple’s Watch has caused such a buzz that there’s even an Apple Watch clone running Android on show at CES, as can be seen here at 9to5Mac.
It’s very brave of the company dubbed Synergy Technologies to showcase its device on US soil, in reach of Apple lawyers, but all kinds of weird and wonderful things happen at major global tech shows.
Many are also pointing to 9to5Mac’s article noting a March launch of the new Apple Watch is likely, with retail training set for early February.
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Unlike Android watches, Apple cleverly decided from the get-go to launch in two sizes - 38mm and 42mm, which you’d traditionally imagine is for men and women, but is clearly for all manner of wrist sizes on men, women and children.
Apple’s Watch appears to have the most elegant interface, with the most attention to detail, and the most thought put into the hardware, physical controls and the bands.
Indeed, Apple appears to have put more thought into just its videos than its competitors have put into creating their entire watch products.
That’s not to say that products such as LG’s rather cool and round G Watch R aren’t good - the G Watch R is a very snazzy device and I very much like it - but it’s clear to see just from Apple’s marketing materials that the Apple Watch is taking the smart watch to a much higher level than the first and second generation of Android Wear watches.
Apple Watch has a superior charging mechanism. A superior design. Superior software and physical controls. A superior interface. Superior integration with iOS than Android Wear has with Android. A superior vibration interface. Superior materials. Superior etc, really.
So, if Apple’s Watch doesn’t launch in March in Australia, it will be a shame, and those who are cashed up will try to get one from the US - if one can be purchased from there amongst what will presumably be a global rush from non US citizens wanting to get one.
We’re also yet to see what the headline starting price of US $349 means to Australians. This likely means AUD $499 - but with our dollar wobbling all over the place, it might cost even more.
Either way, Apple Watch looks like it really will be worth it - I now just look forward to finally trying one out to see the magic for myself, both comparing and reviewing it against the Android Wear and Fitbit fitness bands I’m currently using.
