Apple Watch could be on hand to replace car keys

Tim Cook has said the new Apple Watch has been designed to be able to replace car keys — further fuelling rumours the iPhone maker may be developing a car.

Chief executive officer Cook also said the watch could be used as a credit card via Apple Pay and vowed the company would not gather data on what their consumers are buying.

He also confirmed the watch would have a one-day battery life but would be quicker to charge than a traditional iPhone.

Apple has sent out invitations to an event on March 9 in San Francisco, where it will unveil details for the release of the Apple Watch, expected by mid-April.

Optimism about Apple has been growing since Cook first took the wraps off the smartwatch, along with larger-screened iPhones, in September.

The event gives Cook the chance to show off the gadget’s capabilities and convince consumers they need one.

He said last month it will ship in April.