iOS 11 Streamlines Creation of Custom Apple Watch Faces With New Share Sheet Option in Photos

[CarlJ]

This is interesting. But what the Apple Watch really needs, is its own watch face store with an array of watch faces that the user can choose from. And allow a developer kit that the developers can have access to and create hundreds of watch faces to expand on the ones they have currently .

Quoting myself from a thread down in the watch sub-forum, as much as I'd like an Apple Watch Face Store, I don't see it happening any time soon, for several reasons:

1. Apple is heavily invested in design, they (arguably reasonably) feel themselves to be pretty skilled at it, and figure they can make the best watch faces (I recall hearing that some of the top designers on the watch team were/are also fans of high-end analog watches) - this is arguably their pride "hurting" their customers, but when Jony Ive makes those videos saying, "This is the best XYZ we've ever made", I believe he really means it.
2. Watch faces are displayed perhaps 95% of the time that the watch display is on, and must always be ready to display instantly (which means pre-computing anything that's going to take more than a few milliseconds to generate), and must be able to update instantly... all this means the watch face code has to be the most lightweight and highly optimized code on the watch (10% less efficient code here pretty much means 10% less battery life) - I don't think Apple feels ready yet to hand that kind of control over to third parties... in addition, with the watch face being so central to everything on the watch, they may have an internal roadmap of planned features that they want to finish before letting others play (i.e. if they allow 3rd party faces now, and then add some feature that they'd planned, in watchOS 5 or 6, but it breaks the top five 3rd-party faces, that causes them grief) - right now they can radically change the way watch faces work / are implemented with every minor update, and they only have to worry about updating their dozen or so faces.
3. Because of the limitations in the previous point, watch faces submitted would require a large amount of time-consuming vetting and likely result in a high percentage of rejections. They may simply not want to invest the time in vetting the huge influx of submissions they'll get now (and there's no practical way to say, "no, only submit the good stuff"). A ton of developers of varying levels of competence will see it as a minor gold rush (just like the original App Store), and race to submit something/anything, to "get in on the ground floor".

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Exactly. If Apple can release several versions of watchbands a year, it would be nice if we had more options for additional watch faces through various updates throughout the year as well.

Ah, but software developers are not choosing which shade of blue fluoroelastomer to pour into the Sport Band making machine. Changing colors of physical things does not pose the same technical challenges as keeping code running efficiently.

 

[44267547]

Quoting myself from a thread down in the watch sub-forum, as much as I'd like an Apple Watch Face Store, I don't see it happening any time soon, for several reasons:

1. Apple is heavily invested in design, they (arguably reasonably) feel themselves to be pretty skilled at it, and figure they can make the best watch faces (I recall hearing that some of the top designers on the watch team were/are also fans of high-end analog watches) - this is arguably their pride "hurting" their customers, but when Jony Ive makes those videos saying, "This is the best XYZ we've ever made", I believe he really means it.
2. Because of the limitations in the previous point, watch faces submitted would require a large amount of time-consuming vetting and likely result in a high percentage of rejections. They may simply not want to invest the time in vetting the huge influx of submissions they'll get now (and there's no practical way to say, "no, only submit the good stuff"). A ton of developers of varying levels of competence will see it as a minor gold rush (just like the original App Store), and race to submit something/anything, to "get in on the ground floor".

Addressing your first point, I do think Apple has done a really nice job with some of the original watch faces that were implemented. More so, the solar watch face, the planets, and the animated butterfly/jellyfish watch faces. I know they be conducted a lot of studies and time to even reflect how those animated watch faces actually make movements what the butterflies and jellyfish. I agree they take pride in those watch faces. And I also do think the Apple just wants control over the watch faces until they deem it necessary or if they allow third-party access to create their own.

Addressing your second point. Yes, I know Apple would have to spend some time vetting or monitoring what type of watch faces would be available for download. Because the last thing they would want would be any type of suggestive themes or paraphernalia that would have a poor reflection on the watch. Some have an appreciation for those themes, but ultimately Apple wants the watch to be a reflection of them.

That said, perhaps not anytime soon, but I do see them allowing some type of access to watch faces or at least providing an Apple Watch store that could be available for free download or various purchases for watch faces.
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Ah, but software developers are not choosing which shade of blue fluoroelastomer to pour into the Sport Band making machine. Changing colors of physical things does not pose the same technical challenges as keeping code running efficiently.

Yes, two separate things. But the idea still stands that we could still have additional options for watch faces through various updates throughout the year. This goes back to Apple having complete control over the watch faces and only they make it permissible for when the watch faces release and what type of watch faces. But I think it's a fair argument and most would agree, if Apple could implement various watch faces throughout the year, It would keep the watch refreshed internally and physicslly with watchbands. I think it's a very feasible thing to do, especially being how much control they have over the watch.

Apple plans long ahead of any updates before we even have a grasp of what they're going to be doing. Especially, considering the amount of watch updates that we receive each year. It's Not unreasonable and it's very possible.

 

[SBlue1]

But then you'd have every Tom, Dick and Harry knocking out "Herpes" or "Mucky Mouse" watch faces and selling the for fifty cents. Can't have that.

Well make it an official store where you have to submit the watch face. Fake namens dont get approved. Solved.

 

[Thunderhawks]

But then you'd have every Tom, Dick and Harry knocking out "Herpes" or "Mucky Mouse" watch faces and selling the for fifty cents. Can't have that.

There ya go:

 

[coolbreeze]

Inb4 copyright infringement complaints...

 

[anthonymoody]

All this half-assingg it makes me wonder whether Apple isn't trying to build a "real" watch face store category with faces by, you know, actual watch companies. They could theoretically charge "whatever they wanted" so as to not totally undercut their own physical watch products. One could also argue that making an official Rolex Submariner face available - regardless of price - doesn't make me any more or less likely to actually buy a Submariner.

 

[44267547]

Yes, that would definitely fit in well with Timmy's Apple. Profit from watch bands *and* faces. Now there's innovation for the 21st century.

But I have no issue paying for a high-quality product with their watch bands, that are well-made. And if they were to release watch faces that would appeal to me and they charge a price point, so be it. Put me in that category that I would gladly make a purchase to continue to enjoy my watch and customize it the way I want. That's the whole point.

 

[DevNull0]

But I have no issue paying for a high-quality product with their watch bands, that are well-made. And if they were to release watch faces that would appeal to me and they charge a price point, so be it. Put me in that category that I would gladly make a purchase to continue to enjoy my watch and customize it the way I want. That's the whole point.

I do agree with you. It's a little detail that can have some appeal.

But my point was that Apple seems to be focused on these superficial little things at the expense of anything else. iMessage stickers were the flagship feature of iOS 10.

There's a reason people bring out the pitchforks when Apple mentions watchbands now. I don't think that many people actually hate watch bands, it's just the way Apple pushes silly superficial things with huge markups so hard now. And actual tech hardware seems to take a backseat.

 

[44267547]

I do agree with you. It's a little detail that can have some appeal.

But my point was that Apple seems to be focused on these superficial little things at the expense of anything else. iMessage stickers were the flagship feature of iOS 10.

There's a reason people bring out the pitchforks when Apple mentions watchbands now. I don't think that many people actually hate watch bands, it's just the way Apple pushes silly superficial things with huge markups so hard now. And actual tech hardware seems to take a backseat.

I agree the emoji's and stickers doesn't seem to be very fitting with Apples personality. I will say that WWDC was fairly impressive with all the hardware they released and it looks promising for the future. At least some are more appeased to see the latest updates and specifications.

 

[WRChris]

So many people are wishing for developers being able to make watch faces .... Why not let the user make watch faces. This customization is like asking to be able to set your own background/wallpaper. Such a simple request and Apple is denying that request for what reason?

Do you remember how long it took Apple to allow custom backgrounds on iOS? That was the only reason I used to jailbreak back in the day.

 

[jeremiah256]

This is interesting. But what the Apple Watch really needs, is its own watch face store with an array of watch faces that the user can choose from. And allow a developer kit that the developers can have access to and create hundreds of watch faces to expand on the ones they have currently .

I'd guess it's coming, but they probably anticipate a flood of submissions to a watch face store and need to gear up the resources for the approval process.

 

[44267547]

I'd guess it's coming, but they probably anticipate a flood of submissions to a watch face store and need to gear up the resources for the approval process.

I just see it as Apple has had four versions of watchOS and most of the watch faces have been subpar. I would hope by watchOS 5, we would see an expansion somewhere with the Watch faces.

 

[Ghost31]

This is just like how the iPhone didn't get the ability to change your wallpaper for years and was just a boring black screen

 

[sik08amg]

Optimization is one thing, but to give a developer the option to modify the core function of the watch could reflect negatively on the brand. Probably the same reason we don’t see any options to change fonts, lock screen items, or anything major for that matter on their other products. Imagine all the knock off watch faces and liabilities because everyone wants a Rolex or competitors watch face. This is why we can’t put a background on a analog face. I’m sure there will be added customization and developer input as profits dwindle, but to what extent.

 

[5105973]

All I know is that the Samsung store has some really incredible watch faces sold by developers for reasonable prices. My husband bought some for his Frontier that look amazingly realistic even when in the AOD mode, which provides a second face that draws less power. They're attractive and functional there are some incredibly classy ones for sale.

There are kitschy and goofy ones too. User reviews work pretty well at steering people away from ones that are battery hogs.

At any rate, shopping for watch faces in the Samsung store is a guilty pleasure, so I don't see why it can't be so for Apple Watch faces, too.

 

[44267547]

All I know is that the Samsung store has some really incredible watch faces sold by developers for reasonable prices. My husband bought some for his Frontier that look amazingly realistic even when in the AOD mode, which provides a second face that draws less power. They're attractive and functional there are some incredibly classy ones for sale.

There are kitschy and goofy ones too. User reviews work pretty well at steering people away from ones that are battery hogs.

At any rate, shopping for watch faces in the Samsung store is a guilty pleasure, so I don't see why it can't be so for Apple Watch faces, too.

I don't own any android devices, but I have heard there watch face store is really nice and they have a nice selection of Watch faces.

I Guarantee Apple knows that Apple Watch users want more watch faces and they want to add more of a personalized feeling to the Apple Watch with the watch faces. Part of owning a digital watch as the Apple Watch, is personalizing the way you want with bands and functions with inside the watch. If they want to continue to draw in support of the Apple Watch, this is an avenue they should take besides fitness and notifications.

 

[recoil80]

Not good enough. Why aren't Faces open to developers yet? This is the killer customisation feature that the Watch really needs. Keeping a tight control over it is garbage.

Let's wait for watchOS 5...

 

[Tech198]

Now Apple watch is *really* as personal as your iPhone...

 

[DavidTheExpert]

> This will be the most personal device we've ever created!
> Look at all these bands you can choose, ooh! And 6 different watch faces, so personal!!

 

[BigDaddyChops]

The photo to watch face function is completely limited by the fact that you can only use digital numbers. Why no dial option?

 

[axisdrama]

All I want - a complication with digital seconds or digital watch face with seconds that's not the activity face. I'm a teacher and need to know the precise time to the second without squinting at analogue face. My Pebble had so many Watch faces with digital seconds. Kinda miss it.

 

[Keirasplace]

All I know is that the Samsung store has some really incredible watch faces sold by developers for reasonable prices. My husband bought some for his Frontier that look amazingly realistic even when in the AOD mode, which provides a second face that draws less power. They're attractive and functional there are some incredibly classy ones for sale.

There are kitschy and goofy ones too. User reviews work pretty well at steering people away from ones that are battery hogs.

At any rate, shopping for watch faces in the Samsung store is a guilty pleasure, so I don't see why it can't be so for Apple Watch faces, too.

Samsung's and Android watch sales have likely been abysmal, or even done at a loss promotional item in the case of Samsung, and we know how they respect intellectual property... Both things heavily weight on clock makers not bothering to sue (yet).

People buying a Samsung clock with a fake Rollex, are not in the market for a real Rollex (or even an Apple Watch).

Apple is not worried.

Also, their watches are way bigger so I think they even can keep the watch faces on longer through bigger batteries.

Until the watch face is a permanent fixture (always on face), I find the whole thing a bit useless anyway.

 

[5105973]

Samsung's and Android watch sales have likely been abysmal, or even done at a loss promotional item in the case of Samsung, and we know how they respect intellectual property... Both things heavily weight on clock makers not bothering to sue (yet)

People buying a Samsung clock with a fake Rollex, are not in the market for a real Rollex (or even an Apple Watch).

Apple is not worried.

Also, their watches are way bigger so I think they even can keep the watch faces on longer through bigger batteries.

Until the watch face is a permanent fixture (always on face), I find the whole thing a bit useless anyway.

Yes, the Samsung watches are able to do what they do because they are big. Even the smallest model is very large on my wrist. The new S3 watches are particularly uncompromisingly masculine, which is why I have gone back to preferring an Apple Watch for myself, even though I value the features and well designed user interface of the Samsung watches. But I do think the Gear S3 looks great on a guy.

For the Frontier, there are fully featured Always On faces. They function in a dark mode that looks very much like a traditional watch face that is black. It looks really nice with the case. They are not copies of trademarked designs. I can't say that I have ever seen any watch face that is supposed to pass as a Rolex face on the Samsung store, but I haven't specifically looked for any.

I don't think Apple would do anything out of fear or worry. I'm just saying they should do something because it IS doable and a very nice feature for customers and yet another potential source of revenue for them and for developers.