Custom watch faces in watch kit api

[cmChimera]

Well then should Apple not have an app review team and not have anyone curating the store? IMO the App Store needs more curation not less. It's already tough to separate good apps from junk. I fear the same will be the case with watch faces.

Well first off, I think there are substantial differences in reviewing an app for functionality, and reviewing watch face for design. Secondly, Apple exercising too much control of what apps or watch faces get released is going to discourage developers, as well as limit the number of options for consumers. I would rather they let reviews and preview images/videos sort out the good from the bad.

 

[Tycho24]

Nope......., Well yes. However, there is a simple, easy, and what I and I'm sure many people would love, and/or would hope for.

A Watch Face Designer Toolkit App.

In it's most basic form a basic watch face is just 4 PNG files.

1 for the background
1 for the second hand (that rotates around the center point of the PNG file)
1 for the minute hand (that rotates around the center point of the PNG file)
1 for the hour hand (that rotates around the center point of the PNG file)

Sure, you can offer "complications" and the ability to have extra mini dials within the face, but at it's most basic, it's just 4 images.

Apple could easily release a simple Watch Face Toolkit, that allowed the end user to pick those 4 images, they made themselves to make their own personal watch face, in exactly the same way you can now select 1 image of anything for your background on your iPhone, iPad, iMac etc.

Apple are not to blame for the image you as a user select

This would honestly, probably be the happiest solution for everyone.

I think the argument remains valid that it would be a monumental undertaking with almost zero upside for Apple for them to try to curate the inevitable vast amount of choices for user designed watch faces.
Equally valid is the fact that we still all want them!! lol.
And it looks like in most of the faces, the 4 corners are saved for optional complications... so it doesn't seem like the layman, whilst choosing his/her clock face image would have to be concerned with that at all. I don't see why they wouldn't still be able to be added regardless of the watch face.

I do think that perhaps Apple could curate a few "official" faces. Like, perhaps... you buy a Rolex branded high-end band manufactured to fit your Apple Watch, then download the companion app watch face with the Rolex logo and a digital perpetual second hand. That could genuinely be fun!

 

[Rogifan]

I do think that perhaps Apple could curate a few "official" faces. Like, perhaps... you buy a Rolex branded high-end band manufactured to fit your Apple Watch, then download the companion app watch face with the Rolex logo and a digital perpetual second hand. That could genuinely be fun!

You think Rolex will be creating custom watch bands for Watch? Why?

 

[Tycho24]

You think Rolex will be creating custom watch bands for Watch? Why?

Well it was merely an example.
I suppose I don't know (nor care, to be honest) enough about their business model to know if this is a possibility. You get the gist of what I mean though, insert "a watch company" for Rolex if it makes more sense.
Whatever they (they meaning in this case, ANY watch company) lose in sales from Apple Watch (once again, I know Rolex specifically is not in danger of this), they could probably make up & then some by selling a band and a watch face to allow people to "virtually" own their watch... transforming the Apple Watch into a Swatch or whatever.
Now, I have no idea if the pride of these companies would allow them to do this, nor whether Apple would allow it.
My offhand comment was just that the idea seemed cool to me. Perhaps owning several "brands" of watches... all in your Apple Watch; & the idea allowed a way for said companies to monetize.
I dunno if it has merit, lol... it just kinda amused me. =)

 

[Piggie]

I think it would be a shame for Apple, if their Watch was known as the locked down one, where everyone had to use one of Apples faces, whilst, over time more and more Android Wear watches come out, and you COULD have dozens and dozens of models from all the BIG and some small names under the Android wear banner, allowing people to have vastly more choice.

I know Apple used to be like this, but I thought they had learned their lessons from the past.

I guess we shall soon see.

 

[Tycho24]

I think it would be a shame for Apple, if their Watch was known as the locked down one, where everyone had to use one of Apples faces, whilst, over time more and more Android Wear watches come out, and you COULD have dozens and dozens of models from all the BIG and some small names under the Android wear banner, allowing people to have vastly more choice.

I know Apple used to be like this, but I thought they had learned their lessons from the past.

I guess we shall soon see.

I know that technically this isn't an entire watch face, because the hands are provided... but there IS a wallpaper option. When paired with a wallpaper that is a watch face, one could side skirt this from launch.

 

[flux-capacitor]

For copyright reasons and fear of watchmakers legal anger, I understand Apple can't allow developers to publish custom watch faces on the App Store, but I would love to be able to create my own watch faces and privately use them on my Apple Watch. Like those for example.





Does someone know when the 2nd WatchKit SDK with more features is supposed to be released?

 

[Piggie]

There is an easy way around this which let's Apple off the hook, would please devs, and would please customers.

Simply create a "Watch Design Kit" application that runs on the iPhone or iMac.

The user, then selects their own graphics for the background, the hands, additional "Complications" and creates their own personal, one of a kind watch face.

Apple is in the clear, and users are free to have exactly what they want.

Apple could still also have "Officially Approved" watch face/designs, much like some apps now have official themes to download.

This would answer and solve all problems in one simple move.
Hence it won't be done

If you want to have this Ability, I feel you may have to select an Android Wear watch in the future.
I fear Apple Watch users will always only be able to have a design Apple Approves.

And, please note: I would be VERY happy if I'm wrong.

 

[jeffreyk]

There is an easy way around this which let's Apple off the hook, would please devs, and would please customers.

Simply create a "Watch Design Kit" application that runs on the iPhone or iMac.

The user, then selects their own graphics for the background, the hands, additional "Complications" and creates their own personal, one of a kind watch face.

Apple is in the clear, and users are free to have exactly what they want.

Apple could still also have "Officially Approved" watch face/designs, much like some apps now have official themes to download.

This would answer and solve all problems in one simple move.
Hence it won't be done

If you want to have this Ability, I feel you may have to select an Android Wear watch in the future.
I fear Apple Watch users will always only be able to have a design Apple Approves.

And, please note: I would be VERY happy if I'm wrong.

I would love to see this as it would be extremely nice to be able to personalize the Apple Watch to the way I (or any user) would like it to reflect each user's personality. When I look to spend a substantial amount of money on a timepiece, I am choosing that timepiece on a very personal level...how does it make me feel wearing it, am I proud to wear this timepiece, does it exude my personality, etc. Apple has made this watch in different varieties (3 types of watches) and many watch band options (about a dozen or so) to try to make it personalized. I would hope they would allow custom watch faces to bring that personalization to the customer so the Apple Watch customer can fully feel that their Apple Watch is a true extension of himself or herself.