Apple Watch: First look at Apple's new wearable device (images)

Apple brought more to the table this year than the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus in the form of a fitness-tracking watch.

By Charlie Osborne, Contributing Writer on Sept. 9, 2014

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The Apple Watch

The Apple Watch is the first new product Apple has revealed since the iPad's launch in 2010, as well as the first new product in Apple's line since Tim Cook took over as chief executive from late co-founder Steve Jobs.

Also see: CNET: Apple Watch Preview | Special Report: Wearables: Fit for Business? | TechPro Research: Wearable deployment plans, anticipated benefits and adoption roadblocks | CNET live coverage | Five ways Apple's iPhone 6, iWatch launches may transform its business model

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The digital crown

Tim Cook said the company set out "to make the best watch in the world, one that is precise, that's synchronized with an international time standard." It is controlled by a dial, dubbed the "digital crown," and is highly customisable. You can tap the crown to return to the home screen, scroll and zoom in or out of applications.

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Alternative versions available

The Watch is available in three versions: Apple Watch, Apple Watch Sport and Apple Watch Edition. Each has a different finish; raw aluminium, polished gold and stainless steel. In addition, Apple plans to offer a variety of fittings and straps to keep the device as customisable as possible. Each one, however, has a sapphire display -- which is hard to shatter or scratch.

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So what does it do?

The Watch is a fitness tracker, and is equipped with a range of sensors -- including pulse detection, a gyroscope and accelerometer. Two dedicated apps will give you a "complete" overview of your fitness.

However, that's not the whole story. The Watch is also NFC-enabled, and a number of Apple partners already plan on functionality including hotel door security, smart lighting control systems and payments.

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Anything else?

The Apple device senses when you move your wrist upwards, and automatically activates the display as a result. Siri acts as the Watch's voice assistant, and users can use apps, find directions, search image libraries, scroll through favorite contact lists to call or send a message -- as well as "taps" and emoticons -- and the device will also be compatible with Apple Pay. Third-party apps will also be on offer from developers.