Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
App Store Review Guidelines Updated to Forbid Time-Telling Apple Watch Apps
- Thread starter MacRumors
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
I actually hope so ....
But optimally, they'll eventually release some type of developer's kit to design custom watch faces with. That way, you're using only the programming APIs or methods Apple sanctions as okay.
But optimally, they'll eventually release some type of developer's kit to design custom watch faces with. That way, you're using only the programming APIs or methods Apple sanctions as okay.
Not surprising...
Having used an Android Wear watch for the last year, I can say that all of the aftermarket watch faces I have tried (and some even paid for) have been disappointing. I end up going back to the stock Moto 360 faces. The biggest problem has been additional battery drain. Initially Android Wear didn't even offer an API for custom watch faces, so developers were shoehorning them in as applications and even "watch face kit" interpreters; clumsy at best.
Right now, Apple is very much controlling the Watch experience, as they did with the original iPhone (no app store, very few settings, as I remember). I can imagine they are trying to ensure people don't load watch-face projecting applications and then experience reduced battery life, which reflects poorly on the device, not the app, in most people's minds. As well, Apple is trying to keep the watch looking nice - they want you to show it off to others, and to that end they want the initial impression to look consistent.
While the iPhone and iPad still don't allow changing much of anything on the lock screen (digital clock only), I wouldn't be surprised to see a watch face API eventually opened up. Just give it time. To that end, I'd love to have the same watch face on my iPhone and Watch for consistency.
Having used an Android Wear watch for the last year, I can say that all of the aftermarket watch faces I have tried (and some even paid for) have been disappointing. I end up going back to the stock Moto 360 faces. The biggest problem has been additional battery drain. Initially Android Wear didn't even offer an API for custom watch faces, so developers were shoehorning them in as applications and even "watch face kit" interpreters; clumsy at best.
Right now, Apple is very much controlling the Watch experience, as they did with the original iPhone (no app store, very few settings, as I remember). I can imagine they are trying to ensure people don't load watch-face projecting applications and then experience reduced battery life, which reflects poorly on the device, not the app, in most people's minds. As well, Apple is trying to keep the watch looking nice - they want you to show it off to others, and to that end they want the initial impression to look consistent.
While the iPhone and iPad still don't allow changing much of anything on the lock screen (digital clock only), I wouldn't be surprised to see a watch face API eventually opened up. Just give it time. To that end, I'd love to have the same watch face on my iPhone and Watch for consistency.
Remember when Apple ripped off the Swiss train clocks for the iOS watch face? This could be in response to concerns over trademarking of existing physical watch designs. Might be hard for app reviewers to research each submitted face. Sort of like designing a font.
The last thing Apple needs to be worried about right now is policing the App Store for watch faces that are blatant copywrite or trademark violations. And seeing some of the ugly garbage for Android Wear I have no problem with Apple having strick rules on this, at least in the beginning.
Well to be fair - you don't really care because you're not getting an Apple Watch, right? I mean why get upset about something that doesn't affect you anyway
Understood. They want you to focus on actually interacting with the watch and not just on how the time is displayed.
There are some ugly watch faces on Android Wear, but there are many great ones as well.
Ding! Ding! Ding! We have the right answer here, folks! Imagine if Developer X created a Rolex, Tag, Zenith, Breitling, Patek Philippe, Omega or some other watch face? Now imagine if somehow that slipped through to the App Store? Somehow I don't envision the copyright holders being very happy with Apple about that...especially if Developer X didn't even do a great job with the watch face.
I think some other folks here have it right. Apple will ultimately allow third party watch faces at some point, and they'll provide (or sell) their own, too. It's possible, though highly unlikely, that some of the bigger brands would sell their own watch faces, too.
Well to be fair - you don't really care because you're not getting an Apple Watch, right? I mean why get upset about something that doesn't affect you anyway
I wasn't aware I was upset about anything.
This sounds like one of those necessary(?) evils when a product is new... it doesn't sound like an evil that will still be true in one year.
Meanwhile, a) there IS a lot of customization of the built-in options and b) I really don't much care about telling time
Meanwhile, a) there IS a lot of customization of the built-in options and b) I really don't much care about telling time
I wasn't aware I was upset about anything.
You said "I have no problem with Apple having strick rules on this, at least in the beginning."
Of course you have no problem. That was my point. You get argue my word choice, but you knew what I meant
Ludicrous, but...
Since this product is more prominent than someone's phone in a pocket or macbook in an office, I think Apple wants to be in complete control the aesthetics and branding. Letting everyone have their unique "wallpaper" makes it less recognizable as a glorious Jony Ive creation.
He and some other branding experts must really hate this: https://www.apple.com/macbook-air/stickers/, but, less-prominent, so who cares?
Since this product is more prominent than someone's phone in a pocket or macbook in an office, I think Apple wants to be in complete control the aesthetics and branding. Letting everyone have their unique "wallpaper" makes it less recognizable as a glorious Jony Ive creation.
He and some other branding experts must really hate this: https://www.apple.com/macbook-air/stickers/, but, less-prominent, so who cares?
Since when is Apple responsible for copyright violations by app developers? Does Microsoft have to police every application built for Windows? Sure Apple can remove an infringing app when someone complaints but I doubt they could be sued over it.
Sir Ive doesn't agree with you, and therefore you, as nobility might say to a serf, must bugger off.
Hopefully it will happen eventually and much faster than third party keyboards. But considering how buggy third party keyboards are still I don't really have high hopes for watch faces.
If a Watch Face API is in the works, letting pseudo-watch-face-apps in now would lead to confusion and a suboptimal experience. Best devs wait for a real API.
You can bet there will be tight guidelines on any such API as far as power consumption.
You can bet there will be tight guidelines on any such API as far as power consumption.