I fully expect Apple will allow developers to create their own watch faces which are available via the App Store (some how). They're trying to push the whole personalisation thing and I think it'll be important to them to allow you to have whatever watch face you want. Although they were saying there's potentially thousands of combinations with just their faces alone, I'm hoping this doesn't mean they won't be offering third party faces. That would be a mistake, I think.
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Personal Watch Faces - Will Apple Allow this?
- Thread starter Piggie
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Benedict Evans is currently using a Moto Almost 360 and he tweeted some observations. One he said it was functional but pedantic. He said the software was missing 'delight'. Basically just a big gadget. I find those comments interesting as when I was watching theWatch video and demo the first thing that stood out to me is how alive and animated the software felt. Physics engine has to be in play here. For me Android Wear is almost too perfect. It's functional but feels very cold and clinical whereas Watch OS feels more vibrant and alive. More fun with more personality. Makes me wonder if there aren't certain Watch OS features that might come to iOS in a future version.
I am curious to know how the whole thing meshes together with a raise-to-see-time screen. I would also like to know if the AW will have an Ambient Mode.
One thing that is annoying about the Moto360 is the sensitivity for turning on the display when raising your arm is meh.
I never once mentioned 3rd parties. However Apple is unlikely to allow 3rd parties access to make faces for the first OS generation.
First Generation iphone - No 3rd Party Apps
First Generation dynamic backgrounds - No 3rd party backgrounds
First Generation touchID - No 3rd Party Access
First Generation NFC - No 3rd Party Access
These are just a few. It appears to me that Apple controls this for maturing the technology around it including performance, security, usability, and importantly, image. When Apple introduces a technology what it intends is different that what the public's preconcieved notion of what the technology is. By forcing everyone to use it as its intended for a year or so, everyone gets an idea of what its meant to be and you avoid a lot of half baked 3rd party apps from clouding the intial usage.
Think it's going to upset a lot of people seeing others enjoying being creative with all kinds of innovative new faces and designs on Android Wear watches and seeing that that are stuck with only the ones Apple gives you when you buy it.
I would be surprised if there is this lock down, but then again, being Apple, I can actually seeing them doing it.
I hope not, as there is a LOT of fun to be had with your own personalized watch faces, and you REALLY can make your watch individual to you.
This is absolutely crazy! Im reading for about 3 years this forum, but I never registered. But this reason is big enough to make me register: You posted my design!!!!
From so many skins on dribbble you have chosen mine. I am really happy to this this! I was so motivated today, that I have made a another one. This time its animated and more minimal. Thank you very much again shanson27!
https://dribbble.com/shots/1755028-Apple-Watch-animated-skin?list=following&offset=0
Might not be available for 1st generation but I think it will eventually be available. Also, before the watch was announced how many here would have bet on it having an SDK and 3rd party apps.
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My God what will you do if there is customization as you've worked yourself into a lather convinced Apple will lock this down.
As I've asked before, why would Apple create an SDK and allow 3rd party apps and not include watch faces? Especially when Apple's marketing this as their "most personal device yet" and is squarely focusing on intimacy and personalization?
There is no way Apple would knowingly approve any copyrighted material into the App store. Approving Apps with name brand watches would be all to obvios and setup up 'tons' of lawsuits. Watch face related: Just look at what happened in iOS6 when the Swiss Railroad clock face lookalike (not even a copyrighted name brand) was used in the iPad. Apple paid over $20 million to avoid any legal action.
Indeed. And what I have said all along.
Either, Apple will never allow you to have the face you want on 'YOUR' watch, only the ones it deems suitable. Which is a horrible scenario.
Or Apple release a 'Users Watch Making Kit' which allows you, the user to select a background image, and 3 other images, PNG files I'd guess, for each of the 3 hands. So that anyone can make their own face.
Knowing Apple the latter won't happen, Unless someone jailbreaks the watch.
I hope they do though.
Apple doesn't have to release anything, they can let 3rd parties do it. And you're painting a very black and white picture. Not allowing copywrited material does not equal Apple only allowing what it deems suitable. I'm sure Watch OS apps will follow similar rules as the App Store does.
Indeed, Sorry but I see things black and white.
Apple allows you to customize your own watch face they way you want, or they don't.
I don't see any middle ground.
I'm sure Apple will allow devs to make new watch faces for you to buy, but only if they are approved by Apple.
Can you imagine buying a car from Ford, then not being allowed to paint it, unless the paint or design was approved by Ford?
The App store for programs is different as they is mostly for security reasons, malware, virus's etc etc.
Just controlling the visuals I don't put in the same category.
We'll see. but to me it IS black and white.
Either I can buy a Apple watch and make my own face face using my images I want, or I can't, and I can only use the ones Apple tells me I can.
What about say I love ELO and wanted to make a watch face with the ELO spaceship as the background image. Sorry no, that's copyright.
If it's only for me, on my watch, I'm not selling my ELO watch face. A photo of my ELO album cover.
The way you talk you'd think Apple had just announced one watch with one Apple approved size, finish, band and face. Instead we get three collections. We get a watch in two sizes, 6 different finishes, 6 different band types (some in multiple colors) and 11 customizable watch faces. And in most cases consumers have the ability to mix and match watches and bands.
Apple won't allow anything that could get it in to trouble for copywrite reasons. The last thing they want/need is to be sued by Rolex or whoever for copywrite. If consumers can't understand that then too bad. Outside of that I see no reason why Apple would be restrictive. Apple doesn't restrict what wallpaper I can put on my iPad. There's tons of apps in the AppStore for custom wallpapers. Believe me if there is developer interest in custom watch faces (which there will be) Apple won't say no.
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We just see things differently that's all
To me, there is only 1 watch, it's just in two slightly different sizes, and that's it.
It's like me making 1 car, and another exactly the same, but 1 foot larger.
Giving you the choice of 3 pain finishes, a variety of interior trim colours, 2 seat options, and 5 types of alloy wheel designs.
Then saying "Behold my massive car collection, millions of options"
Errrr, no sorry. You've made 1 car, and it's got some trim options.
There is only 1 watch from Apple. They all look the same, they all function the same, there are just some minor trim options. Apple can Gloss this up, but that's the reality.
On the watch face issue
I suppose what I mean is, like a web browser, You make the interface, and you let people use it as you wish.
No one can sue Apple for you having a ELO album cover on your desktop.
No one can sue Apple for you designing a Rolex looking Clock on your desktop.
They just supply the desktop and you do as you wish. After all it's your device you own with your money.
That's what I hope from the Watch. They supply the interface and a 'watch face kit' and the owner can make their own face if they wish.
I don't like the concept that I can only select from the faces devs make and the ones that pass Apple's approval process.
Say I do want a Rolex looking face. How near to a Rolex look will Apple allow. How can you police how close it looks to something else?
Looks like Apple will allow custom watch faces by 3ed parties to be added. A Swiss watch compony named DWISS has 5 up for sale a $1 each.
This is absolutely crazy! Im reading for about 3 years this forum, but I never registered. But this reason is big enough to make me register: You posted my design!!!!
Image
https://dribbble.com/shots/1755028-Apple-Watch-animated-skin?list=following&offset=0
You're very talented. I'd definitely buy your watch face, especially the one you posted here.
You mean like apps that get submitted to the App Store? I'm shocked that Apple would have a review process for Watch apps.
You mean like apps that get submitted to the App Store? I'm shocked that Apple would have a review process for Watch apps.
No, I don't mean Apps.
I mean watch Face Designs.
Actually, you know what, I would like to be treated like an Adult by Apple, and them publish remarks, but let ME decide.
Sure, remove and police and thing that would damage the device or hack into my private details, but no, other than that, keep your nose out of it.
On this subject, is there now an App for the iPad that shows in realtime WiFi strength?
I was going to get one years ago now, but was told Apple had just removed every single one of them for the App store