CBC News app launches for Apple Watch

CBC News is officially wearable.

The CBC News app for iOS 8 has been updated to work seamlessly with the Apple Watch, which goes on sale today in Canada.

Users who have downloaded the app will be able tosee breaking news alerts and headlines at a glance and will be able to read the full articles on their iPhone.

Soon, users will also be able to share articles on social media from the watch and save a selection of stories to read later.

• Compare devices using ourSmartwatchbuyer's guide
• Download the CBC News app for iOS 8

"We've thought carefully about what we deliver on this new platform," saysMarissa Nelson, senior director of digital mediafor CBC News & Centres.

"We understand a watch may not be the best device for consuming all of the news, context and analysis CBC News provides. So we've adapted our news app to allow users to quickly check in on the watch and get the most important information they need, with an opportunity to read and watch more on their iPhone when they are ready."

As one of the first apps available for the Apple Watch in Canada, CBC News for iOS has been designed with an interface built just for the wrist. Features include:

• Breaking news alerts.
• Top news headlines at a glance.
• Headlines for different sections.

The Apple Watch requires an iPhone 5 or later, with at least iOS 8.2, although iOS 8.3 is recommended.

Some analysts predict between 2.3 million and four million of the devices will sell in the quarter ending in June. Canadian prices begin at $449 for the smaller, 38-mm model Apple Watch Sport. A standard version will be $699, and the high-end Editionmodel will be priced from $13,000.

More than half of CBC News's daily audience is on a mobile device. CBC recently shifted priorities to "mobile first" as part of its new strategy, 'A space for us all.'

"As the digital universe expands to include wearables, CBC News is updating its products to meet users in those spaces. We want to be where our audience needs us, when they need us, on whatever device they're using," saysNelson.

The CBC News app for iOS 8 was shortlisted this week for the inaugural Canadian Journalism Foundation Innovation Award.

CBC News is also developing an Android Wear version of its Android app. Breaking news alerts are currently available on some versions of Android wearables.