Apple Watch price slashed to US$299, new bands unveiled

Apple CEO Tim Cook speaks about the iWatch during an event at the Apple headquarters in Cupertino, California March 21, 2016. Reuters/Stephen Lam

At a press event on Monday, Apple announced that it is slashing the starting price of its much coveted Apple Watch to US$299 (AU$394). Additionally, Apple CEO Tim Cook introduced the new colourful spring lineup of Watch bands.

The new range of Apple Watch bands come in colourful alternatives. The Spring lineup introduces a new Space-Black version of the Milanese Loop band priced at $199 (AU4264). It also includes new Apple Watch Sport Bands and Leather Bands with more colour options.

Apple also unveiled the new woven nylon bands priced at $49 (AU$65). The new range of bands come in two sizes and seven vibrant colour variants.

At Apple’s March 2016 event, Cook claimed that the Apple Watch is the best selling smartwatch in the world. According to Cook, changing bands had always been notable trend among Apple Watch users.

At the March 2016 event, Apple also announced CareKit, a new software framework designed to help developers to make iPhone apps and help people to “manage their own medical conditions.” It will be released next month as an open source framework.

The iPhone apps designed using CareKit will enable users to track their medical conditions, understand their health and monitor symptoms and medication.

“We believe that giving individuals the tools to understand what is happening with their health is incredibly powerful ,” said Jeff Williams, chief operating officer at Apple.

In related news, Apple is expected to launch the next generation of Apple Watch in September.

The Apple Watch 2 is expected to be a fully functional medical device. A patent application published by the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office indicates that the next generation of Apple Watch may help users to get assistance at the time of specific medical emergencies.

According to unofficial sources, the sensors of the upcoming Apple Watch will be capable of sending alerts to close family members and help users to reach out to local emergency contact persons as and when required.