Apple iWatch Release Date, Specs: Expected In March 2015; Device To Have iPhone 'Companion App'

The fourth beta version of iOS 8.2 was released recently and with it came hints of a possible launch date for the Apple Watch. Going by the features in the operating system, the launch could happen sometime in March this year.

Reporting on the features present in the beta version of iOS 8.2, 9to5mac said it will have a "companion app" that will run on the iPhone. Users will be able to use this companion app on their iPhone to control the working of their Apple Watch and even change its settings. The app also allows users to change how their Apple Watch display apps on its screen and manage how their iPhone interacts with it.

Users, if they want to, can also choose to have a monogram with anywhere between one to four letters displayed on the face of their Apple Watch. They can also enable the display of a red dot on the screen to inform them of important notifications they have received on their iPhone.

The Verge said the companion iPhone app is set to play an important role when it comes to setting up the Apple Watch. Using it, people can even decide which particular contacts should appear on the "friends" screen of the Apple Watch, which will allow users to quickly message a select group and receive messages from within this group and ignore others.

As part of its activity tracker, the Apple Watch will also be able to remind the wearer to stand up if they have been sitting for an extended period. Health conscious users can also choose to receive updates on progress they have made on their fitness goals for the day, or they can opt for weekly updates.

With the emergence of the companion app in the iOS 8.2 beta version, several sites have concluded that since the beta phase normally lasts for two months, the release of the Apple Watch could be in March.