Apple Watch LTE will other audio apps come to the watch now?

[bluespider]

Just wondering, actually hoping, other audio apps might be able to come to the Apple Watch now with LTE (iHeartRadio/Spotify/Pandora/SiriusXM etc)?

I'm thinking I might like and use that a lot more than making calls

 

[matrix07]

Im just curious why we don't hear anything about Apple own podcast app? That's like a no brainer.

 

[Farrellcollie]

Audible, siriusxm etc are important to me if I am already giving the carrier more money to use this - and for walking/running/biking - if the watch does not support it -I might as well just carry my phone. I was going to pre-order, but once I realized there was a question about this, I have decided to wait.

 

[bluespider]

I have to assume that LTE will allow apps to stream just like on the phone... I can't find any information confirming though... if it does and apps will follow, that makes it worth the extra$ to me!

 

[deeddawg]

Im just curious why we don't hear anything about Apple own podcast app? That's like a no brainer.

That's been a gaping hole.

Audible, siriusxm etc are important to me if I am already giving the carrier more money to use this - and for walking/running/biking - if the watch does not support it -I might as well just carry my phone.

The question seems moot until Audible and SiriusXM first create Watch apps...

 

[jhfenton]

At least two third-party podcast apps support the Watch now (transferring podcasts to the Watch for direct listening without the iPhone). I have no idea when Apple will rewrite their podcast app to do so. There's no reason they couldn't have supported it on AWS2 (or AWS0).

There is likewise no reason Audible couldn't have supported the Watch. Transferring long audio files to the Watch is slow, but it is managed by third-party podcast apps, and it could be managed by Amazon/Audible if they cared to. I doubt that the ability to stream will inspire them to care more about the Watch. (As it is, I buy Audible books, remove the encryption, and upload them to my podcast app.)

I do expect that the music streaming services (Pandora/Spotify/iHeartRadio/etc.) to jump on the Watch bandwagon now. There was no reason for them to do so before, but there certainly is now.

 

[deeddawg]

Yes, I use Watchcast regularly. Nice little app. Still a big miss on Apple's part not having native support.

I too anticipate the other streaming services will add enhancements allowing direct streaming. If not right away then perhaps in time.