UPDATED 01:42 EDT / JANUARY 28 2015

Tim Cook Announcing The Apple Watch NEWS

Apple Watch will ship in April, development right on schedule, says Apple CEO

Tim Cook Announcing The Apple Watch

Speaking during an earnings call with analysts following the company’s earnings announcement on Tuesday, Apple Inc. CEO, Tim Cook said that the Apple Watch will start shipping in April.

Cook said that, “development for Apple Watch is right on schedule.”

First announced alongside the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus in September 2014, Apple originally said the wearable will ship in “early 2015” and later rumors pegged the release date around the end of March with retail staff set to receive training starting mid-February.

In November media reports surfaced that the Apple Watch launch was delayed until “spring 2015”, citing battery issues. Apple originally aimed at 19 hours battery life for the Apple Watch, with the device requiring daily charging, but rumors indicate that the battery life could be as little as 2.5 hours with “heavy” use.

Asked about the timing of the Apple Watch launch, Cook clarified that, “early 2015” means the first four months of the year, “mid” means the next four months and “late” means the last four months.  As far as Apple is concerned then, an April launch date is right on schedule.

Cook said that his expectations for the Apple Watch “are very high” and “I’m using it every day and love it and can’t live without it. I see that we’re making great progress on the development of it.”

He added that there are an “impressive” number of developers making apps for the Apple Watch.

Along with Apple Pay, Apple’s mobile payment service for iPhone and iPad, Apple Watch is a push into a new product category for Apple; something the company hasn’t done since the introduction of the iPad in 2010.

The Apple Watch requires a connected iPhone and will be managed by a “Companion” app.

Two sizes and three collections will be available (Apple Watch, Apple Watch Sport and Apple Watch Edition) along with a choice of five different bands.

Details about the Watch are scarce, but Apple has said that prices for the “entry-level” Apple Watch will start at $349.

Image courtesy Apple

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