Do you think Apple will ever open up the watch face design to developers?

[Lounge vibes 05]

This question has been asked for decades, just in slightly different ways.
Will Apple ever support official Mac OS X themes?
Will Apple ever allow iOS to have third-party launchers? This was particularly popular during the early days of android when third-party launchers were all the rage.
Will Apple ever allow additional operating systems on the iPad?
Will Apple allow for third-party lock screens on the iPhone?
Will Apple allow for third-party watch faces?
The answer to these questions has always remained the same, no.
It’s a very apple philosophy that every device have the same basic Apple approved layout and appearance.
Agree or disagree with it, it’s just the way they operate.
Additionally, there are some benefits to having the main system interface completely controlled by the manufacturer.
For example, every Watch face built into watchOS is compatible with all of the accessibility features of watchOS.
Likewise, with every lock screen/home screen customization that can be done to the iPhone/iPad.
This means that, no matter what or whose device you’re using, if it’s an Apple device the main system functions shouldn’t have any compatibility issues.
Introduce third-party tools that run as the main launcher and or literally the first thing you see when your watch turns on, and if they’re not optimized correctly you can quickly run into issues.
For example, if a voiceover user were to switch to a third-party watch face that didn’t have proper voiceover support, that user could possibly be totally out of luck if that face gets stuck.
So there are definitely benefits to keeping it locked down, even if I don’t always agree with Apple‘s reasoning.

 

[Howard2k]

This question has been asked for decades, just in slightly different ways.
Will Apple ever support official Mac OS X themes?
Will Apple ever allow iOS to have third-party launchers? This was particularly popular during the early days of android when third-party launchers were all the rage.
Will Apple ever allow additional operating systems on the iPad?
Will Apple allow for third-party lock screens on the iPhone?
Will Apple allow for third-party watch faces?
The answer to these questions has always remained the same, no.
It’s a very apple philosophy that every device have the same basic Apple approved layout and appearance.
Agree or disagree with it, it’s just the way they operate.
Additionally, there are some benefits to having the main system interface completely controlled by the manufacturer.
For example, every Watch face built into watchOS is compatible with all of the accessibility features of watchOS.
Likewise, with every lock screen/home screen customization that can be done to the iPhone/iPad.
This means that, no matter what or whose device you’re using, if it’s an Apple device the main system functions shouldn’t have any compatibility issues.
Introduce third-party tools that run as the main launcher and or literally the first thing you see when your watch turns on, and if they’re not optimized correctly you can quickly run into issues.
For example, if a voiceover user were to switch to a third-party watch face that didn’t have proper voiceover support, that user could possibly be totally out of luck if that face gets stuck.
So there are definitely benefits to keeping it locked down, even if I don’t always agree with Apple‘s reasoning.

There‘s also the (probable) commercial challenges of the Hermes tie in.

 

[nattK]

So do the Hermes straps/watches, come with a QR code, just like the country straps?

No. Hermès watch faces are exclusive to the Hermès model, you don't get the faces when you buy the straps separately. In fact, the Hermès models also get an extra "Hermès orange" color option for the rest of the non-Hermès watch faces.

 

[The Cockney Rebel]

Oh cool, thanks, I shall check that out.

Did you try it, H?

 

[Howard2k]

Did you try it, H?

I did, thanks for the suggestion. Didn't do it for me. It's nice to change of pace to have the large complication on the bottom but I don't have a use for it. I prefer a larger clock face and smaller complications.

 

[MisterSavage]

The closest option might be the Modular faceplates? You can try between the Modular, Modular Compact and the Modular Duo. It's not the magic answer you want but it seems to come close to what you would like with a big digital time option and complications.

Yeah that's what I ended up using. The time isn't where I want it (I want center instead of top right) and I don't want a giant complication in the middle but it's the best I have now.

 

[erikkfi]

I use Unity Lights most of the time. I will never understand why this face isn’t available in a hundred color combinations. It’s such a simple thing, Apple.

 

[PatrickNSF]

As it stands, they are all so stale.

What do you think?

Is there a face you really like? Or are you also bored with the current faces?

No.

 

[MisterSavage]

Those of you unhappy with the current watch face choices please file feedback with Apple. Duplicate feedbacks are considered votes.