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There are actually 4 different types of Apple Watch apps: 1. Glances 2. Actionable notifications 3. Extension WatchKit apps (extension runs on iPhone, view r

by orand 12y ago

There are actually 4 different types of Apple Watch apps: 1. Glances 2. Actionable notifications 3. Extension WatchKit apps (extension runs on iPhone, view runs on watch) 4. Fully native apps It appears 1, 2, and 3 will be available for the initial launch, while #4 will be available later next year, probably starting with a beta released at WWDC.

JoseVigil 12y ago
hey orand, thanks for the summary. You mentioned #4 will be available later next year, probably starting with a beta released at WWDC. Is Apple actually saying this? If so, can you please share the source? I mean from Apple not macrumors.
- orand 12y ago
  They actually said this in their September 9th press release, although most people missed it: http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2014/09/09Apple-Unveils-Apple-Watch-Apples-Most-Personal-Device-Ever.html http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2014/09/09Apple-Unveils-Appl... "With Apple Watch, developers can create WatchKit apps with actionable notifications and Glances that provide timely information. Starting later next year, developers will be able to create fully native apps for Apple Watch." Someone from Apple also essentially reconfirmed this earlier today on the WatchKit developer forum. Edit: here's the source that first tipped me off to this detail hidden away in the press release: http://david-smith.org/blog/2014/11/06/expectations-for-watchkit/ http://david-smith.org/blog/2014/11/06/expectations-for-watc...
  - JoseVigil 12y ago
    Appreciate orand. I wonder what fully app for watch means though. I am intrigued on the touch event support. There is something new called Force Touch.
    - billyhoffman 12y ago
      Apple mentioned Force Touch during the unveiling demo, and there is a blurb in their documentation as well: "Force Touch. A small screen can only accommodate so many controls. That’s why Apple Watch introduces an entirely new interaction model: Force Touch. As well as sensing touch, the Retina display also senses force. Force Touch interactions display the context menu (if any) associated with the current screen. Apps use this menu to display actions relevant to the current content." [1] I've heard people compare this to a long press, but its subtlety different. Force touch can bring up a context menu faster, because you don't have to wait to determine if a touch is "long" or not [1]- https://developer.apple.com/library/prerelease/ios/documentation/UserExperience/Conceptual/WatchHumanInterfaceGuidelines/WatchOSAppAnatomy.html https://developer.apple.com/library/prerelease/ios/documenta...
      - JoseVigil 12y ago
        Thanks for the info Billy. I think there has to be more touch events available than Force Touch. Seems a fairly trivial interaction. Given the features page I assume the API should support more events. Digital Touch "implies" touch down-move-up: http://www.apple.com/watch/features/ http://www.apple.com/watch/features/ * Section 6-left, a heart drawn on the watch with the name Jamie. "You don’t even have to use words. The Digital Touch features on Apple Watch give you fun, spontaneous ways to connect with other Apple Watch wearers, wrist to wrist." * Below, a flower drawn on the watch with the name Eliza. "Sketch. Use your finger to draw something quickly. Your friend on the other end can watch your drawing animate, then respond with a custom creation for you." Hopefully is already there or else we might have to wait and see the touch API public for WWDC. Eager to play with it, if anybody has more information please share. Thanks!
orand 12y ago
Update: on the developer forum an Apple employee provided a more accurate breakdown: 1. Watch App 2. Watch App with Glance 3. Watch App with Actionable Notifications 4. Watch App with Glance and Actionable Notifications 5. "Fully Native Apps" In other words, you can't have glances or actionable notifications without a Watch app.

by orand 12y ago

JoseVigil 12y ago

hey orand, thanks for the summary. You mentioned #4 will be available later next year, probably starting with a beta released at WWDC. Is Apple actually saying this? If so, can you please share the source? I mean from Apple not macrumors.

orand 12y ago
They actually said this in their September 9th press release, although most people missed it: http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2014/09/09Apple-Unveils-Apple-Watch-Apples-Most-Personal-Device-Ever.html http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2014/09/09Apple-Unveils-Appl... "With Apple Watch, developers can create WatchKit apps with actionable notifications and Glances that provide timely information. Starting later next year, developers will be able to create fully native apps for Apple Watch." Someone from Apple also essentially reconfirmed this earlier today on the WatchKit developer forum. Edit: here's the source that first tipped me off to this detail hidden away in the press release: http://david-smith.org/blog/2014/11/06/expectations-for-watchkit/ http://david-smith.org/blog/2014/11/06/expectations-for-watc...
- JoseVigil 12y ago
  Appreciate orand. I wonder what fully app for watch means though. I am intrigued on the touch event support. There is something new called Force Touch.
  - billyhoffman 12y ago
    Apple mentioned Force Touch during the unveiling demo, and there is a blurb in their documentation as well: "Force Touch. A small screen can only accommodate so many controls. That’s why Apple Watch introduces an entirely new interaction model: Force Touch. As well as sensing touch, the Retina display also senses force. Force Touch interactions display the context menu (if any) associated with the current screen. Apps use this menu to display actions relevant to the current content." [1] I've heard people compare this to a long press, but its subtlety different. Force touch can bring up a context menu faster, because you don't have to wait to determine if a touch is "long" or not [1]- https://developer.apple.com/library/prerelease/ios/documentation/UserExperience/Conceptual/WatchHumanInterfaceGuidelines/WatchOSAppAnatomy.html https://developer.apple.com/library/prerelease/ios/documenta...
    - JoseVigil 12y ago
      Thanks for the info Billy. I think there has to be more touch events available than Force Touch. Seems a fairly trivial interaction. Given the features page I assume the API should support more events. Digital Touch "implies" touch down-move-up: http://www.apple.com/watch/features/ http://www.apple.com/watch/features/ * Section 6-left, a heart drawn on the watch with the name Jamie. "You don’t even have to use words. The Digital Touch features on Apple Watch give you fun, spontaneous ways to connect with other Apple Watch wearers, wrist to wrist." * Below, a flower drawn on the watch with the name Eliza. "Sketch. Use your finger to draw something quickly. Your friend on the other end can watch your drawing animate, then respond with a custom creation for you." Hopefully is already there or else we might have to wait and see the touch API public for WWDC. Eager to play with it, if anybody has more information please share. Thanks!

orand 12y ago

Update: on the developer forum an Apple employee provided a more accurate breakdown: 1. Watch App 2. Watch App with Glance 3. Watch App with Actionable Notifications 4. Watch App with Glance and Actionable Notifications 5. "Fully Native Apps" In other words, you can't have glances or actionable notifications without a Watch app.