Long-awaited answers to Apple Watch questions expected at Monday press event

On Monday during a press event Apple Inc. is expected to finally show off what the Apple Watch can do. They announced what the device will look like in September, but just what it can do has remained largely a secret. Several key questions should be answered at the event.

First, the big question for many people is when the Apple Watch will be available and how much it will cost. Although chief executive Tim Cook said in January that the release date will be in April, the exact date of availability will likely be revealed on Monday. The company has already announced that the starting price for a basic Apple Watch will be $350 (U.S.), but the cost of the premium model is not known. The luxury edition, which includes an 18-karat gold body, is expected to run more than $5,000.

The Apple Watch’s health-focused capabilities will likely be emphasized during the press conference, where it may also be revealed how the HealthKit applications will be included in the watch’s functions. Some features touted in September’s initial announcement of the device have been cut. It is no longer going to track heart activity, stress levels or blood pressure. However, it is still expected to track heart rate and have a built-in accelerometer.

Battery life is a big question for mobile device users, and is a major battleground area in the smartwatch race. Potential users are very interested in how the Apple Watch will fare in this department. The watch’s sensors for the health features are expected to be a big battery drain. However, Cook said the battery will last a full day, and that it will charge quicker than an iPhone. It may also include a power reserve feature that will allow it to run on low battery levels that only show the time.

More details about models and styles may be revealed. The straps on all the models of the watch are interchangeable, but it is not yet known what the prices are for the various styles. It is also not clear whether other companies will be allowed to make bands and other accessories for the Apple Watch.

It is also expected that Monday will bring revelations of some of the best apps for the watch. A big question is what can be done with the watch that cannot already be done with a phone.

Optimism over new Apple products, including the watch, have sent company shares to record highs in recent weeks. Sales of the Apple Watch may reach 14 million in the first fiscal year according to analyst estimates. It is projected that Apple will take 55 percent of global smartwatch sales this year. Katy Huberty, analyst at Morgan Stanley, said initial demand for the Apple watch could be stronger than iPad or iPhone when they first launched.

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