Apple iWatch Release Date, Features & Price: Everything You Need to Know

Apple's media event on September 9th gave way to another exciting product, a "game changing" wearable device called the Apple Watch.

The device is Apple's first attempt into the wearables market, which has long been dominated by its biggest competitor, Samsung.

Sifting through various media reports, we have listed some of the most important things you need to know about Apple's latest wearable offering.

Apple Watch, not iWatch

Yes, you read that right. The Independent said that the "i" prefix Apple has been utilizing in almost all of its products since the 1990s was dropped for the wearable, which made its impressive debut, somewhat eclipsing iPhone 6 in the process.

Daily Telegraph said that the major change in the brand name was due to Apple's aim to target style-savvy customers. Several online newspapers saw this as the company's right strategy to venture into the yet-to-be-appreciated wearable market.

Financial Times quoted Kantar Worldpanel trends and tech analyst, who said earlier this year, "The value proposition of wearables is unclear to consumers. Most are really ugly. Design is absolutely crucial."

Apple Watch to go on retail in 2015

Buzzfeed said that Apple would be releasing the Apple Watch for sale next year and would retail for $349. CNET noted that the wearable is a bit pricey considering the more affordable watches by mobile companies, including Sony's SmartWatch 2, Motorola's Moto 360, Samsung's Gear Live and Gear S, and LG's G Watch and G Watch R. However, the site said that this was the same strategy Apple employed when it released the original iPhone then at a whopping $600.

Apple forces Watch customers to commit to iPhone 6

It was clear that the people at Apple, led by CEO Tim Cook, are heavily invested in their wearable as opposed to iPhone 6 that it marketed Apple Watch to go exclusively in tandem with its iPhone 5 at least, Buzzfeed said. It remains to be seen whether the introduction of the Apple Watch will have an effect on iPhone 6 and iPhone 5 sales.

Appple Watch is customizable

CNET said the Apple Watch comes in 38mm and 42mm sizes in three "collections," which include a high-end Apple Watch edition no doubt to be sported shortly by the fashion elite due to its 18K finish. The Apple Watch also comes in with a tougher Sport model for active individuals. The Apple Watch comes in six different bands in a variety of colors.

Apple Watch is a serious health advocate

All of the Apple Watch versions are geared towards improving users' health. The device comes with infrared LEDs and photo diodes designed to track a user's pulse and turn them into useful data. This is more suitable for health buffs who find it cumbersome to carry their iPhones to track activity and steps. Apart from the health apps, the Apple Watch has iMessages, Apple Maps and all the basic iPhone apps, the company's official Apple Watch product information page shows.