The long-awaited Apple Watch will go on sale around the world on April 24, with a vast range of options to suit all budgets and tastes. It’s the latest big announcement in the drive from all major manufacturers to crack the wearable technology market. There are already some great smart watches and other wearable devices out there, but the world is still waiting for that iconic product which will make wearable tech as ubiquitous as smartphones and tablets.

Alex Barlow, Marketing Assistant at Manx Telecom and a self-confessed Apple addict, says it’s an important announcement in the evolution of wearable technology, but adds:

“As with all new technology, its popularity is all about how customers react to it and whether it fills a need in their everyday lives. For example, when text messaging was introduced to mobile phones it wasn’t expected to be an important feature, even by the leading manufacturers. There were a lot of sceptics when Apple launched the iPad – but from day one it has been a huge success story and has driven the global use of all types of tablet devices. The Apple Watch looks great, but only time will tell whether it is the key which unlocks the huge potential of the wearable tech market. At one level, the Apple Watch can be viewed as another product in the already competitive market for smartphone accessories and wearable tech. Having said that, Apple has such an impressive record for producing massively popular, innovative designs – and a very strong and loyal customer base – that Apple Watch could be the wearable device which captures everyone’s imagination.”

The Apple Watch will launch with two screen height sizes – 38mm and 42mm – and there will be Apple Watch (stainless steel) and Apple Watch Sport (aluminium) models with a choice of different strap materials and designs. If money’s no object, then there are the Apple Watch Edition versions in 18ct gold with prices up to ?13,500. All the different versions will have the same technical specs and functionality.