The world gets a first proper look at Apple ’ s latest gadget tonight when the company launches its first smartwatch . With a price tag of about £220 , the Apple Watch boasts a range of lifestyle functions – promising to open your car door , buy a coffee and even track your heart rate . The company hopes it will have a winner on its hands , even though sales of rival products by Samsung , LG and Sony have been sluggish and many smartwatches have a notoriously short battery life . Scroll down for video . Apple 's latest gadget - the Apple Watch - will be unveiled on Monday night and comes with a price tag of £220 . However , Apple and its British design guru , Sir Jonathan Ive , plan to make the firm ’ s watch a lifestyle essential . Partnerships have been signed with car companies like BMW , which will allow users to open the vehicle door through the watch . It can also be paired with technology in the home and in hotel chain rooms to automatically let the user in without a key or smart card . There will be partnerships with airlines that will see the watch double as a boarding pass to allow users to sweep through airports more quickly . Importantly , it will be loaded with the new ‘ Apple Pay ’ technology , that will allow users to pay for a raft of purchases by waving the watch over a till point scanner . The system , which is tied in to user bank accounts , means people will buy lunch or pay for a train or bus ride without the need for cash . The watch , which will be linked to the owner ’ s iPhone via a Bluetooth link , will also provide a map and directions , vibrating on the wrist to warn of the need to make a turn . The first details of the watch were revealed by Apple chief executive , Tim Cook , in September last year . Importantly , it will also include a raft of health sensors and trackers , which will measure the heart rate and activity level as part of a program to boost fitness . When the first details of the watch were revealed last September , chief executive , Tim Cook , said : ‘ We love to make great products that enrich people ’ s lives . We love to make technology more personal and allow our users to do things they never imagined . ‘ We believe this new product will redefine what people expect from this category . This is the next chapter in Apple ’ s story . ‘ It is the most personal watch ever created . It is incredibly customisable to find one that reflects your personal style and taste . It is also a comprehensive health and fitness device . ‘ Being more active is being one of the best things you can do to improve your health . Apple Watch gives the ability to motivate people to be more active ... or track what you are doing during the day. ’ While the watch will have a starting price of around £220 it is suggested there will be a host of other premium versions , including one in gold that will cost as much as £3,325 . As such , the company are presenting the device , which was created with input from Paul Deneve , the former chief executive of the fashion house Yves Saint Laurent , as very much a fashion item . The first version , which was unveiled in the autumn , featured a square steel and glass device with a range of case designs , digital watch faces and straps , some leather , some sporty , and one stainless steel to reflect the style of the wearer . It is controlled via a button on the side , which is called a ‘ digital crown ’ and looks much like the winder on a traditional watch . Sir Jonathan said : ‘ Creating beautiful objects that are simple , pure and functional has always been our goal . We have designed a range of products so personal that you wear them on your wrist. ’ Ernest Doku , technology expert at uSwitch.com , said : ‘ Apple ’ s long-awaited entry to the wearables space will no doubt supercharge a market that otherwise seemed destined to be the preserve of techies and early adopters. ’ The Apple Watch boasts a range of lifestyle functions including the 'Apple Play ' software , which will allow users to avoid the need to use cash by simply waving the watch over a till point scanner . The latest speculation suggests that Apple is worried about battery life on the Watch - a common issue among existing smartwatches . Smartphone users already struggle with the relatively short battery life and adding the need to charge a new device will put some people off the whole idea . Mr Doku said : ’ The reveal will hopefully give us greater insight into how this device will benefit our lives with a selection of dedicated app demos , a more finalised look at the software and user interface as well as those all-important price points - we entirely expect Apple ’ s premium positioning to continue in the wearables arena . ’
Apple Watch has range of lifestyle functions including opening car door . Also has software which will avoid need to pay with cash at till points . System is tied to user 's bank account and can pay for trains or bus fares . Comment: