New Report Provides Look Into Apple's Secret Lab for Apple Watch Developers

[MacRumors]

Three weeks ago, it was reported that Apple was inviting developers to the company's Cupertino headquarters to receive help finalizing Apple Watch apps. A new report from Bloomberg Business provides a look into the secret lab where Apple is helping developers, offering a look at Apple's strategy for Apple Watch apps as well as the security around the project.

Developers from Facebook, BMW, Starwood Hotels and others have been making multiple trips to Cupertino, with each visit requiring confidentiality.

Apple, which will share more details about the gadget at a March 9 event, uses extreme measures to keep the work secret. Internet access is blocked inside the rooms, and no outside materials can be brought in to the labs with the test watches, a person who attended said. The companies, sometimes sharing a room, must bring in source code for their apps on a computer hard drive that can't leave Apple's headquarters. To prevent information from leaking out, Apple is storing the code and sending it to the companies closer to the watch's introduction date, the person said.

The unreleased Apple Watch is also available for the developers to test out their apps, allowing them to check for glitches and optimize user experience for the Digital Crown and Force Touch, two of the watch's unique interface options.

One of the challenges for both Apple and its developers has been to balance the apps so that they are useful but not annoying. Apple has recommended that developers be "judicious" about interrupting users with alerts that would constantly buzz or drain the battery. Instead, they suggest that apps should be used for no longer than 10 seconds at a time.

Another challenge for developers has been working on an unreleased product, as developers have noticed problems that still need to be worked through. One developer tells Bloomberg that the Bluetooth connection between the iPhone and Apple Watch caused lag with some applications. Additionally, some developers like Starwood have had to use computer simulations and cardboard cutouts to explain to the designers who weren't invited to Cupertino how its app would work.

Apple is expected to show off the Apple Watch apps developers have been working on, as well as more information about the new device, at its "Spring Forward" event on Monday, March 9 at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Daylight Time. Apple plans to provide live coverage for the event on its website and through a channel on Apple TV, and MacRumors will also be covering the event with both a live blog on MacRumors.com and through our MacRumorsLive Twitter account.

Article Link: New Report Provides Look Into Apple's Secret Lab for Apple Watch Developers

 

[Michael Scrip]

This reminds me of the first iPads developers got to see that were bolted to a table in a windowless room.

Apple certainly takes their secrecy seriously.

 

[swingerofbirch]

I get that secrecy is a cultural value at Apple, but at a rational level I don't see what harm bringing in a notepad would do at this point. It's not like they've figured out how to do something that's never been done before; they've just done it their own way.

 

[brinary001]

Why are they being so secretive about a product which we ALREADY KNOW EXISTS? This isn't like the iPad or something where they really did need cloak and dagger to have a few developers create some software that could be showed off at its unveiling and keep things undercover until that time arrived.

 

[saving107]

This reminds me of the first iPads developers got to see that were bolted to a table in a windowless room.

For reference

The iPhone 4 was also leaked (while sitting onto of the iPad) but no one ever realized it, everyone just assumed it was an iPhone 3GS and focused on the iPad.

 

[Paradoxally]

It's futile Apple, in less than year Samsung will end up copying everything that comes out of your labs anyway.

 

[Pakaku]

Why are they being so secretive about a product which we ALREADY KNOW EXISTS?

It suggests to me that there's some 'killer app' that they're hiding until the event in a few days. Because we know a ton about the outside, but less about the inside. But that's just a guess, though.

Apple's natural secrecy might also be a factor.

 

[Eduardo1971]

Wonder what BMW has in store for the Apple Watch?

 

[AngerDanger]

It's a good thing the Watch measures heartbeat; developers can hopefully preempt the panic attacks induced by such odd conditions.

 

[Klae17]

some developers like Starwood have had to use computer simulations and cardboard cutouts to explain to the designers who weren't invited to Cupertino how its app would work.

 

[heeloliver]

Nice. I'd imagine Twitter is there as well. Twitter and Apple seem to have a super close relationship, and the official Twitter app is something Apple would make.

----------

Why are they being so secretive about a product which we ALREADY KNOW EXISTS? This isn't like the iPad or something where they really did need cloak and dagger to have a few developers create some software that could be showed off at its unveiling and keep things undercover until that time arrived.

Because none of us really know what the Apple Watch is like. Apple has only shown it working on their own wrists, and it hasn't truly been in the hands of any one else yet. There are many unfinished/secret features and specifications that haven't been worked out yet and they don't want released.

 

[CFreymarc]

Another challenge for developers has been working on an unreleased product, as developers have noticed problems that still need to be worked through. One developer tells Bloomberg that the Bluetooth connection between the iPhone and Apple Watch caused lag with some applications. Additionally, some developers like Starwood have had to use computer simulations and cardboard cutouts to explain to the designers who weren't invited to Cupertino how its app would work.

Sounds like the Bomb Shelter Visiting Room that is near the cafeteria on IL4. Similar things happened with the release of the iPad and even the iPhone.

I know many that are not rushing into the Apple Watch because the lack of outside beta hardware. Many say there will be a spike on launch (of course) but the real money is in the Christmas season over six months from now. Expect a lot of watch apps over the summer when the real money is made toward end of year.

 

[rowspaxe]

I know many that are not rushing into the Apple Watch because the lack of outside beta hardware. Many say there will be a spike on launch (of course) but the real money is in the Christmas season over six months from now. Expect a lot of watch apps over the summer when the real money is made toward end of year.

Yo are assuming there is utility apps can leverage out of this hardware and os.
But why? What are you going to do in 10 seconds that has any real utility?

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Because none of us really know what the Apple Watch is like. Apple has only shown it working on their own wrists, and it hasn't truly been in the hands of any one else yet. There are many unfinished/secret features and specifications that haven't been worked out yet and they don't want released.

But don't you know what it looks like, how it tap navigates, what the crown does? It seems I know a fair amount about the watch,

"There are many unfinished/secret features and specifications that haven't been worked out yet"

will you pre order with the easter bunny??

 

[Crzyrio]

We also know how cars work, yet we test drive all of them

You can fully tell how much you might like something until you try it.

 

[Michael Scrip]

Why are they being so secretive about a product which we ALREADY KNOW EXISTS? This isn't like the iPad or something where they really did need cloak and dagger to have a few developers create some software that could be showed off at its unveiling and keep things undercover until that time arrived.

I'm sure Apple has their reasons.

On a side note... Android Wear not only exists but is actually shipping right now.

Have we heard of any developers working on amazing new apps for Android Wear?

Or is this a case of the media only reporting on what Apple is doing? (or will do?)

Android Wear had a 6 month head-start... but the Apple Watch seems to get all the news coverage. (even without a shipping product)

 

[CFreymarc]

What are you going to do in 10 seconds that has any real utility?

That my friend is the million dollar question. What data or interaction that saves a few seconds accessing a watch over a mobile device will the market find valuable?

A lot of research has gone into this and so far, these are some of the highlights from many public talks given since the first Pebble was launched. Sorry for the vague examples, there are some third party, non-Apple NDA's I'm dancing around with this message.

* Quick glance data that you can access while driving without violating hands free cell phone laws. For example a text message or some system status.

* Clandestine data you don't want others seeing in your vicinity. For example, a message alerting of the immediate environment.

* Data in an environment not friendly to smartphones. For example a movie theaters, court room, church or oration hall.

* A "hands busy" environment where you are unable to handle a mobile device. For example, while driving was mentioned, other environments like cooking, healthcare, utility works and maintence. Have vicinity environment monitoring and alerts shown.

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Or is this a case of the media only reporting on what Apple is doing? (or will do?)

Android Wear had a 6 month head-start... but the Apple Watch seems to get all the news coverage. (even without a shipping product)

The media loves a clown and anything else that gets attention. The Apple drama is great for this. I often use this quote when some smartypants thinks he can make it to the top without personality or zeal.


“I could not become anything; neither good nor bad; neither a scoundrel nor an honest man; neither a hero nor an insect. And now I am eking out my days in my corner, taunting myself with the bitter and entirely useless consolation that an intelligent man cannot seriously become anything, that only a fool can become something.”

― Fyodor Dostoyevsky, Notes from Underground

 

[Music_Producer]

Yo are assuming there is utility apps can leverage out of this hardware and os.
But why? What are you going to do in 10 seconds that has any real utility?

1. Use the starwood app and open your hotel room door with a single tap on your watch. No more taking out your wallet, looking for the key card, etc. (especially when you have your hands full)

2. Check in at the airport with an airline app? (if they enable such functionality)

Just 2 of the most frequently used features I could definitely use.

 

[brinary001]

I'm sure Apple has their reasons.

On a side note... Android Wear not only exists but is actually shipping right now.

Have we heard of any developers working on amazing new apps for Android Wear?

Or is this a case of the media only reporting on what Apple is doing? (or will do?)

Android Wear had a 6 month head-start... but the Apple Watch seems to get all the news coverage. (even without a shipping product)

Ah. Yeah I guess Apple wants to keep the hype at, well, being hype. Nothing piques the public's intrigue quite like secrecy and meeting in the shadows...

 

[kdarling]

Developers from Facebook, BMW,*Starwood Hotels*and others...

Cool.

Starwood said they were going to let the Apple Watch unlock room doors via Bluetooth. (They already let iPhones and Android phones do so.)

As for BMW, didn't they show a system where the Watch could unlock the car? Have to go look again. Pretty sure it also allowed making hotel reservations from the car and again, using the Watch for room key without having to go to the front desk at all.

Re: Facebook. I can't figure out what's worse. People spending all day looking at Facebook on their smartphones, or the coming wave of people looking at their wrist and speaking Facebook posts into their watch.

 

[CFreymarc]

Facebook on their smartphones, or the coming wave of people looking at their wrist and speaking Facebook posts into their watch.

The inevitable Snapchat and Tinder apps for the Apple Watch will give a new meaning to "flick of the wrist" for millions of users.

 

[IJ Reilly]

Ah. Yeah I guess Apple wants to keep the hype at, well, being hype. Nothing piques the public's intrigue quite like secrecy and meeting in the shadows...

If Apple talks about a new product they are accused of hype. If they keep it a big secret, they are accused of stealth hype. All the hype talk is really just... hype.

 

[Tech198]

Now, if only Apple could do this same "secrecy" with ALL their products. But i guess, that's asking too much. It can be done easily...

 

[doelcm82]

If Apple talks about a new product they are accused of hype. If they keep it a big secret, they are accused of stealth hype. All the hype talk is really just... hype.

Hype is what Apple (or any company) says about themselves. Buzz is what others say about them. So the hype talk is really buzz. No one generates buzz like Apple. The fanboys and the haters do all the work, and the buzz creates more buzz. Then there's media, which covers the hype, and then covers the buzz.

 

[Michael Scrip]

Hype is what Apple (or any company) says about themselves. Buzz is what others say about them. So the hype talk is really buzz. No one generates buzz like Apple. The fanboys and the haters do all the work, and the buzz creates more buzz. Then there's media, which covers the hype, and then covers the buzz.

In this case... Apple didn't say anything. So they couldn't have created the "hype"

But Bloomberg Business did say something... so they created the "buzz" and then other media outlets will repeat this "buzz"

Is that accurate?

 

[OtherJesus]

...yet if we had leaks all I would read is "double down on security" jokes.