14 DAY TRIAL // In a timely press release accompanying the launch of iOS 8.2 Beta, Apple announces the immediate availability of WatchKit, a set of tools that enable developers to create apps specifically tailored for the wrist.
As usual, the framework comes with a specific set of guidelines and instructions to achieve comprehensive solutions that customers can experience on their wrist. Such as turning on the lights or opening the garage door.
Apple’s announcement
The media release, embedded below, specifically states that developers now have a green light to start coding watch apps using the same SDK (software development kit) that comes with iOS 8.2 Beta. As expected, Apple is eyeing a seamless integration of the upcoming smartwatch with existing iDevices.
Apple believes it “has the world’s most vibrant and innovative developer community, and now these developers can begin developing WatchKit apps before Apple Watch becomes available.” The device is currently slated to roll out in spring 2015, according to comments made by the company’s SVP of Retail, Angela Ahrendts.
Developers will be tasked with creating apps that take advantage of actionable notifications and Glances, a marketing term used by Apple to describe functions that offer “timely information accessible by an easy, quick look at Apple Watch.”
Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing, said, “Apple Watch is our most personal device ever, and WatchKit provides the incredible iOS developer community with the tools they need to create exciting new experiences right on your wrist.”
In his statement, Schiller points to various hardware features that developers can leverage in making their apps, including Force Touch, the Digital Crown, and the Taptic Engine.
Examples of apps for the wrist
Before directing users to the resources page – where they can download the SDK as well as all the documentation they need to get started – the Cupertino giant offers a few examples of how these apps would work on the watch.
For instance, developers are told they can create interactive notifications that allow users to take immediate action on their wrist, “such as turning the lights off after they've left the house, quickly accessing flight details at the airport, and rerouting their transit when a train or bus is late.”
These are just a few examples of the types of apps enabled by WatchKit, if used properly. Glances are also a big part of the initiative. These can be used to “quickly show users information they care about most, such as the latest news and sports scores, alarm system status or the next step of a favorite recipe.”
The tools
Registrants to the annual Apple developer program can immediately download Xcode 6.2 and iOS 8.2 Beta from the iOS Dev Center to start utilizing the WatchKit framework.
The resources page offers tips and tricks to achieve the best design, guidelines that ensure the app doesn’t get rejected, a programming guide, a framework reference for WatchKit, and even a developer forum. WatchKit is only available in the latest iOS SDK.
