THE NEWS WRAP: Apple announces Apple Watch pricing and launch date

Apple has confirmed its Apple Watch will launch on April 24, with customers able to pre-order the highly-anticipated device 14 days before it is released.

 

Apple has also confirmed how much each version of the smartwatch will cost, with the cheaper Apple Watch Sport setting Australian customers back between $499 and $579.

 

Meanwhile the standard Apple Watch will cost up to $1629, with the premium Apple Watch Edition costing a whopping $14,000.

 

Apple’s chief executive Tim Cook has promised the smartwatch’s battery will last an entire day, according to Fairfax.

Twitter acquires video streaming app

Twitter has confirmed it has acquired video streaming app Periscope for an undisclosed amount, according to Business Insider.

 

The startup is still in private beta, with a public launch date yet to be announced.

 

The deal follows Twitter’s acquisition of celebrity advertising startup Niche last month, also for an undisclosed amount. The startup helps advertisers partner with celebrities and people with large social media audiences on Vine and other platforms.

Facebook will shut down FriendFeed

Facebook is officially shutting down FriendFeed, the social network it acquired in 2009 for reportedly $US50 million.

 

In a statement to Re/code, Facebook said it has been maintaining the service for the last five years but usage has been declining steadily.

 

“Given this, we’ve decided that it’s time to start winding things down,” the company said.

 

“Our thanks go out to the FriendFeed community for its many years of support.”

 

FriendFeed will remain active for the next month before being shut down completely.

Overnight

The Dow Jones Industrial Average is up 138.94 points, rising 0.78% overnight to 17,995.72. The Aussie dollar is currently trading at around 77.07 US cents.

 

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