Not true. I use mine all the time for security/authentication apps (much more convenient than my phone) as well as home integration (lights, thermostat, door locks, etc).
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Google Maps, Amazon, and eBay Drop Apple Watch Support [Updated x3]
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Not true. I use mine all the time for security/authentication apps (much more convenient than my phone) as well as home integration (lights, thermostat, door locks, etc).
Over the course of the last few months, several major companies have quietly removed support for the Apple Watch from their apps. As first noted by AppleInsider, Google Maps, Amazon, and eBay have pulled their Apple Watch apps from the App Store.
Google Maps, Amazon, and eBay were all early supporters of the Apple Watch, releasing apps within a few months of the device's April 2015 debut.
Checking today, none of the three companies offer Apple Watch apps, having quietly removed Apple Watch functionality through App Store updates. It's not entirely clear when each app was updated to remove Apple Watch support, with the feature elimination appearing to have largely gone under the radar.
That three major apps were able to remove Apple Watch support without much fanfare seems to explain the reasoning behind the decision to cease offering an Apple Watch app, as it suggests there weren't many people using the apps in question. Whether the removal of the apps is permanent is unknown.
Google Maps was perhaps the only app that was useful on the wrist, with quick directions to places like home and work. Amazon's Apple Watch app simply allowed for voice-based searches and one-tap purchases, something that's easier to do on a phone or computer, while eBay's offered notifications for auctions being tracked on the site, which also required the concurrent use of an iPhone or Mac to track content in the first place.
Target has also recently removed Apple Watch support from its Target app, but Apple Watch functionality remains available via the separate Cartwheel by Target app.
With the Apple Watch having celebrated its second birthday on April 24, the kinds of apps that work on the wrist-worn device are becoming more clear, allowing companies to stop using resources on content that's not suitable for a wearable device.
Article Link: Google Maps, Amazon, and eBay Drop Apple Watch Support
Feel sorry for those who spent 10 to 17K on a gold version.
I write iOS Apps for a living and until about 2 months ago never gave the watch much thought or interest.
However 2nd hand prices are now low enough that buying one just to play with it could be justified.
If I didn't like it I could just punt it on with no real loss.
That 2nd hand series 1 watch is now firmly welded to my wrist. I love it.
As for Apps I added watch support to 2 of my Apps and I think they are amazing on the watch face especially with quick launch complications.
The development work required to do a Watch extension App is minimal. It's a day, or two, of work.
Facebook hasn't done a watch app (or has pulled it if they did do one) I really don't see what you could do with FB on the watch other than the messenger. App watch extensions aren't for every App.
Google, Amazon & EBay really aren't important on the wrist. No loss to me.
It's the simple little things like having the timer, reminders, weather, music and being able to answer calls and see messages. The freedom from the "ball and chain" that the smart phone has become.
I thought Apple Pay might be the thing that would win for Apple Watch but it's not.
You really have to wear one for a month to see for yourself what it's about, don't assume like I did.
On a final note if you do look for a 2nd hand S1 look for the Stainless Steel model which sell for about the same as 2nd hand Sports.
A used Sport looks awful as it mark too easily, the SS looks as good as new, I got a nice SS at a bargain price.
I'll be upgrading to a S3 SS if it comes with cellular support.
However 2nd hand prices are now low enough that buying one just to play with it could be justified.
If I didn't like it I could just punt it on with no real loss.
That 2nd hand series 1 watch is now firmly welded to my wrist. I love it.
As for Apps I added watch support to 2 of my Apps and I think they are amazing on the watch face especially with quick launch complications.
The development work required to do a Watch extension App is minimal. It's a day, or two, of work.
Facebook hasn't done a watch app (or has pulled it if they did do one) I really don't see what you could do with FB on the watch other than the messenger. App watch extensions aren't for every App.
Google, Amazon & EBay really aren't important on the wrist. No loss to me.
It's the simple little things like having the timer, reminders, weather, music and being able to answer calls and see messages. The freedom from the "ball and chain" that the smart phone has become.
I thought Apple Pay might be the thing that would win for Apple Watch but it's not.
You really have to wear one for a month to see for yourself what it's about, don't assume like I did.
On a final note if you do look for a 2nd hand S1 look for the Stainless Steel model which sell for about the same as 2nd hand Sports.
A used Sport looks awful as it mark too easily, the SS looks as good as new, I got a nice SS at a bargain price.
I'll be upgrading to a S3 SS if it comes with cellular support.
I would say the same thing. which is why it doesn't bother me that they dropped it.
I'd argue that's a little too broad. The Apple Watch is great for notifications, yes, but there are some apps that are useful on it as well.
The problem is, too many companies went into this saying, "what features will we have in our watch app", rather than saying, "do we have features in our iPhone app that would translate compellingly to the watch?" Deciding there will be a watch app before figuring out if such an app is useful, is foolish. Though I suspect more than a few companies had to build one to figure out whether it was useful.
If either fiddling with the tiny interface of the watch app, or waiting for it to pull data from the phone, takes longer than just pulling the phone from my pocket and using the app on the phone directly, then the watch use case for that app is not compelling.
The eco-system is sorting itself out.
Out goes the junk watch apps that add little value due to usability.
Out goes the junk watch apps that add little value due to usability.
Honestly I'm not surprised. I returned both my series 0, and 1. I'm not into fitness routines, and the remaining abilities were silly or not useful. Having my phone always on hand made it so much easier to just grab the phone than peck at the little buttons on my watch. I like Apple but the watch is a distraction.
Those that don't like or care for the AW are not trolls.
As you, yourself pointed out, the AW is simply trying to be too much. That's an issue for many "smart" watches.
Lol it took you 2 generations of purchasing to understand you don't need the Watch? Maybe the Watch isn't the problem...
The Watch is a second screen for tasks on the iPhone. Not at all a distraction if you understand how to silence notifications you don't want. In fact, one could argue that the phone itself is the distraction.
Im surprised Google Maps has gone. I would have thought once the app was there server-side changes would be the main updates.
Plus, the non-techy casual users I know who own the Watch (including a skeptical Mum who bought it for her daughter then borrowed it for a weekend) all say Maps is - surprisingly - one of the standout features.
Plus, the non-techy casual users I know who own the Watch (including a skeptical Mum who bought it for her daughter then borrowed it for a weekend) all say Maps is - surprisingly - one of the standout features.
The thickness of the watch is not out of line with traditional watches, but, yes, it would be nicer if it was thinner. Ironic that the only Apple device that anyone outside of Apple HQ has desired to have be thinner in the past three years is the only one they have yet to make thinner.
(Typed on a 2011 MacBook Pro.)
I think the technological "use-case" of the Apple Watch is still in flux. Its a nice item but not absolutely essential. "+" phone owners like not having to get the phone out as often but I think the killer features haven't surfaced yet. I have used one but do not own one. As a watch wearer, I like many aspects, but I feel like there is something that hasn't been discovered in a use-case scenario that will make this semi-essential.
Plus Apple Pay, Bank of America, Now playing (to change songs in the Pool), Bring Shopping list..... all very convenient.
I think that realistically there are some apps that suit themselves to the wrist, such as timekeeping, fitness, notifications of things. But shopping, checking eBay listings, stuff like that? Not much point.
As smart watch technology continues to mature, I suspect we'll see more and more major companies drop out, so that users are left with a more manageable core of actually useful apps that have a purpose.
I don't really believe this to be any kind of failing. But some companies jumped on the bandwagon and some realized they needed to stay on the bandwagon, and some realized it was not necessary.
As smart watch technology continues to mature, I suspect we'll see more and more major companies drop out, so that users are left with a more manageable core of actually useful apps that have a purpose.
I don't really believe this to be any kind of failing. But some companies jumped on the bandwagon and some realized they needed to stay on the bandwagon, and some realized it was not necessary.
YES thank you I left out Apple Pay which has been a big one, especially in situations where I don't have my phone/wallet with me it's saved me a few times.
Do you really want to, for example, browse merchandise and place orders on Amazon or eBay (two of the companies that pulled their apps) from your Watch?
And that more SDK freedom would make that a much better user experience?
I've had my Watch for close to two years and use it everyday. However, the last thing I want to use my Watch for is browsing products and placing orders on Amazon and eBay.
Hopefully they consoled themselves by going to Fyre Fest.
That's interesting. What kind of limitiations do you find yourself running up against?
once again - if youre a serious athlete you dont get the apple watch.
apple should start improving the user experience.
apple should start improving the user experience.