All Apple Watch Apps Must Be Native Apps Starting on June 1

[Mike MA]

So even Apple admits the iPhone crutch was a really stupid idea?

It was a transition phase.

 

[raj]

Apple has to do something to keep up with the speed, ease of use, thousands of free watch faces & apps, and free SDK, of Pebble. Not to mention the superior outdoors visibility, days of battery life, far cheaper price, much better waterproofing, and android + iPhone compatibility. As a matter of fact, the only things the Apple Watch does better than Pebble are allowing you to take a phone call on your watch (with crappy sound from a too small speaker), heart rate monitoring (for some people but not others), and draw pictures on the watch face. In contrast, the range of creativity of Pebble apps is amazing.

Too bad Apple's crushing them.

 

[chasonstone]

Great news!

 

[johannnn]

THANK YOU! I hate apps that take ages trying to get contact with my phone.

 

[Berti10]

Apple may build in their remaining 8GB or 16GB storages (as they won't be adopted in the new iPhone 7), and I can already hear somebody complaining.

 

[0098386]

It's about time!

 

[thekeyring]

I'm really surprised at the lack of apps for the Apple Watch. I thought for sure they're would some awesome new apps on this new device. I guess I sorta saw it as a new platform in a way.

Still waiting on WhatsApp for the watchOS (and a 2nd gen Watch)
[doublepost=1461404859][/doublepost]

If it wasn't ready, it should not have shipped. *cue quotes about Steve's perfectionism*

Yeah like, uhhh, 'real artists ship'.

 

[Pagemakers]

There is barely any difference between version 1 and 2 apps so don't hold your breath.

 

[MrGimper]

Is Apple going to fix their own native apps, so it doesn't take 10 seconds for the fitness app to open?

Wow, I just opened the workout app and the activity app in like 1-2 seconds, so not sure what's going wrong for you? Full disclosure, I'm running watchOS 2.2.1 beta 2, but I've not noticed any real improvements in app opening times.

 

[djcerla]

Is Apple going to fix their own native apps, so it doesn't take 10 seconds for the fitness app to open?

Reset your Watch. My Fitness app loads instantky.

 

[Southern Dad]

The only time when I don't want to have my phone on me is when am running or swimming. Which makes less then 5% of my time. I feel that these should be 2 totally different devices and not replace each other.

I can see not when you are swimming but only because the Lifeproof case is just ugly. But not carrying it when running? I walk each day and can't imagine not having my iPhone with me.

 

[Arran]

So great. Some developers have been dragging their feet on converting to native apps.

Indeed. Time to s**t or get off the pot.

 

[jlo1158]

This philosophy literally makes me scratch my head. I don't want another data plan and the watch is good for notifications but that's about it. No phone = no web browsing and talking into your wrist on the phone or to dictate messages or use any of the apps is a pain. I would never leave home without my phone regardless.

I'm glad someone never forgets their phone like I do occasionally. With my Gear S2 my wife can still call me to let me know the things she forgot on the grocery list.

 

[ipedro]

MacRumors really should learn how to write correct titles. @MacRumors, you're misinforming your readers through bad writing.

All Apple Watch Apps Must Be Native Apps Starting on June 1

...is very different than...

All New Apple Watch Apps Must Be Native Apps Starting on June 1

All existing apps and their updates can remain tethered. Only brand new apps will need to be built on watchOS 2 SDK

This is not the good news people were expecting.

 

[zorinlynx]

This might end up being a precursor to a future version of the Apple Watch that has a cellular radio in it, which would allow it to be used without having your phone on you.

Imagine that: A waterproof, GSM capable Apple Watch on your wrist. You could go to the beach and not even bring your phone with you, yet stay in touch with people if need be. It could have GPS for tracking bike rides and runs. It would have amazing potential.

That would finally push me towards buying an Apple Watch, I think. The current incarnation just isn't that useful to me.

 

[Arran]

This is not the good news people were expecting.

Does "new" include updates to existing apps?

I've been googling, but not finding any answers.
[doublepost=1461429914][/doublepost]

I'm glad someone never forgets their phone like I do occasionally...

If Apple did produce a self-contained watch that makes calls, would you buy one?

 

[garylapointe]

Apple today informed developers that starting on June 1, 2016, all watchOS apps submitted to the App Store must be native apps built with the watchOS 2 SDK or later.

Seems like a bit BEFORE the deadline for WWDC would have been a better time to let them know!
Might have been a motivator for some..

Gary

 

[scaramoosh]

The Watch has apps? I've never used one lol, my Watch is pretty much just there for Apple Pay these days, all I do with it.

I hope Apple gets rid of the horrible digital crown for the Watch 2, it's completely useless.

 

[69650]

This philosophy literally makes me scratch my head. I don't want another data plan and the watch is good for notifications but that's about it. No phone = no web browsing and talking into your wrist on the phone or to dictate messages or use any of the apps is a pain. I would never leave home without my phone regardless.

I don't always need the web but I do always need to be contactable for my work. An Apple Watch with SIM + Wireless Headset would be the perfect scenario for me. If Apple doesn't do it somebody else will.

 

[SMIDG3T]

Love how people think this will make a difference. We already have native apps and they are painfully slow. Apple Watch is not a fast device, nothing will change until the second-generation is out.

Hopefully it's at WWDC where Apple Watch 2 is unveiled and not at the iPhone event in September.

 

[69650]

I would never leave home without my phone regardless.

What do you do when you're at the beach wearing only your budgie smugglers? Do you stick the iPhone up your arse for safe keeping?

 

[Psyfuzz]

Great development - it's clear Apple's still defining how and what the device needs to achieve (as it the competition). Removing tethers is key and this is a step towards it.

Whilst many complain about the lack of updates (watch faces etc.) I get the feeling there's a considerable amount going on behind closed doors right now for watchOS3. watchOS2 felt like Apple following through with pre-launch features/ideas, watchOS3 is likely Apple making deep changes to the OS after receiving market feedback.

 

[jlo1158]

I

Does "new" include updates to existing apps?

I've been googling, but not finding any answers.
[doublepost=1461429914][/doublepost]
If Apple did produce a self-contained watch that makes calls, would you buy one?

Good question. The thing is I've already got a S2. Don't need anything else.

 

[ConnYoungy]

Looking ahead to Watch2 maybe?

Was thinking about that the other day...thinking its unlikely they'll make it thinner since all the existing bands have a curve on that fit the body perfect...

 

[ipedro]

Does "new" include updates to existing apps?

I've been googling, but not finding any answers.

According to Apple's instructions, it's all new apps, not updates. Other tech sites seem to think so too. Only MacRumors wrote a misleading title. Updates aren't included — for now at least.

It makes more sense given the tight deadline. Apple wouldn't give all Watch apps only 6 weeks to comply or be removed. Maybe at WWDC, they'll announce a longer term plan to phase out tethered apps.