No they don't.
You do, some here do, even many here do.
But I can guarantee there are thousands of people, some with watch orders now, that don't understand this, and will be something they find out about.
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Popular Apple Watch App Screenshots Revealed Ahead of Friday's Launch
- Thread starter MacRumors
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
No they don't.
You do, some here do, even many here do.
But I can guarantee there are thousands of people, some with watch orders now, that don't understand this, and will be something they find out about.
What a terrifying thought. I would like to think people understand what they have ordered.
However, worryingly, you might be right.
So that's 100% concrete for certain, other than whats on the watch NOW, when you buy it new, there are zero apps that will run on just the watch when you are out with just the watch on it's own?
No exceptions?
No Devs with Special Apple approved privilege?
None at all?
----------
Well, Apple not explaining things is the reason why.
They skirt around things, hint at things, suggest things, but they don't seem to actually come out with a crystal clear bold statement that everyone see'sm understands and "gets" without any confusion.
I have not seen, not that I've been looking hard, but I have not seen so far, any really bold clear statement, that says, Your iPhone will be needed to be within range of the watch for 3rd party apps to work. Or These apps shown will only work when you are carrying your iPhone with you. Or some similar crystal clear statement.
Just looking at the photo of the alerts is driving me crazy...if the Watch's best feature is getting alerts, I will pass. I'll wait to see what developers come up with to make it more than just a window to the phone. Besides, I have 38 watches, so I like to mix it up a bit.
appleofmy"i";21067370 said:
I really am going to try and make the watch work for me in a way that makes me use my phone less, and in the end, mobile technology less. Even if it's just chipping away a few seconds at a time.
I definitely do not want most of these apps that just make me look at my watch instead of my phone for just as long. That's not the point!
That "Clear" app looks useful. Never heard of it before. I typically use the Reminders first party app for lists right now.
You're right about the vagueness. I've probably read every article on here the past couple of months and I know I still have some questions. I think Apple has hinted that only music can be transferred to the 8gb of storage that the Watch has. It doesn't seem like any apps can be stored on the watch itself, since the watch functionality is inside the iPhone app. So this makes sense why no third party apps will work without the iPhone. For now.
The only time I can remember them mentioning not needing your phone is when saying that you can go for a run and listen on bluetooth headphones. So this looks like it will require their health app running, and can't use something like RunKeeper. But the for now part is that they have also vaguely said that a watch app store would come sometime int he future for apps that run specifically on the watch. Until then, I don't think third party apps will be able to.
It's possible they are being vague because there are plans to allow watch apps in the future that can be stored in and run off of the watch. But that's once battery improves, storage capacity improves, could be when the official watch app store launches? Heck maybe in a few months for gen 1, they'll just put a low limit on the size so we put more than a handful of apps on it.
I think my own uncertainty and guessing just shows that, as you said, it hasn't really been written out clearly for the masses.
The phone must run the apps because doing so on the watch would (1) consume limited RAM, and (2) require the watch processor to do the thinking which would seriously compromise battery life. Apple wants the phone to do the heavy lifting and "stream" display changes to the watch. So the watch is basically a "dumb terminal" for the apps.
Supposedly, Apple is working on on-board app capability but looks like they have optimizing to do.
As for lag, this website discusses the nuts and bolts behind what's going on pretty well. Everything is streamed from phone to watch over Bluetooth Low Energy (unless you are at home on wifi) which has speed limitations. Developers are still learning how to optimize around that, which is discussed in the linked site. Thinks like avoiding too many jpgs (looking at you, Flipboard), pre-caching as much as you can, and relying on vectors more than bitmaps. It's promising to read that they are figuring out and it's just a matter of coming to terms with the differences.
When I get my watch, I plan to install some apps but only the most important ones for glancing. I'm not going to go overboard. I still have a phone in my pocket for the more involved interactions.
Supposedly, Apple is working on on-board app capability but looks like they have optimizing to do.
As for lag, this website discusses the nuts and bolts behind what's going on pretty well. Everything is streamed from phone to watch over Bluetooth Low Energy (unless you are at home on wifi) which has speed limitations. Developers are still learning how to optimize around that, which is discussed in the linked site. Thinks like avoiding too many jpgs (looking at you, Flipboard), pre-caching as much as you can, and relying on vectors more than bitmaps. It's promising to read that they are figuring out and it's just a matter of coming to terms with the differences.
When I get my watch, I plan to install some apps but only the most important ones for glancing. I'm not going to go overboard. I still have a phone in my pocket for the more involved interactions.
I had no real reasons to want an Apple Watch, but the Clear app might just give me one. Being able to do my groceries with my two hands free is kind of a good one...
Some people might think these look ugly but people need to keep two things in mind:
I like the Yahoo Weather App the most. Can somebody do this with the Weather Underground app? Their latest update cleans up the interface, adds support for new iPhone sizes, but also adds support for Apple Watch! So far the only screenshot I've found is this:
- Apple Watch has a margin around the display so you don't need a margin in the app. Everything sits flush because of the limited space and on the watch itself you can't tell the difference on black.
- Many apps will use black backgrounds with similfied interfaces because the watch uses an OLED display, which means the black pixels are turned off and that saves power. This is why so many Apple Watch apps and faces use black backgrounds.
I like the Yahoo Weather App the most. Can somebody do this with the Weather Underground app? Their latest update cleans up the interface, adds support for new iPhone sizes, but also adds support for Apple Watch! So far the only screenshot I've found is this:
I'm really surprised that Apple Watch doesn't come with the stock Reminders app. At least I didn't see it on the website. I just assumed that it did. Does Clear sync with iCloud yet? I add many reminders with Siri, but I need a way to manage them quickly. Checking off grocery items is a good use-case for an Apple Watch. It's always really clunky to carry my phone through the store while grabbing stuff—especially if I'm just grabbing a few things using a basket.
--
As for people complaining about needing a distinction for which apps will run without an iPhone—don't they all just disappear off your Apple Watch screen when your iPhone is disconnected? Also I thought Apple said that they're bringing native support in the next SDK—but the main issue is that so many apps rely on a data connection. So yeah, better go running where there is WiFi along the whole trail, lol. Only in big cities?
Apple announced at some point they're planning on bringing native 3rd party apps to the Watch later this year. Hoping for more info on that from them at WWDC this year. Also I don't know if Stocks is the only app that runs natively. I believe all Apple apps currently run natively on the Watch and Pogue even explained in his review that if he was on a trusted wifi network without his phone he could still iMessage; which presumes iMessage CAN technically run on the Watch without an iPhone. The workout app still clocks heart rate, steps, etc (just not route for lack of GPS) without an iPhone.
The blanket statement is that the Watch will need an iPhone for data, period. Which seems odd to me if it can iMessage via wifi, etc. why can't it pull weather, and others? I'm hoping when 3rd party apps get native support we'll understand how the Watch can communicate without tethering an iPhone in certain instances. I'm assuming this is all a battery based decision. Much like it took the iPhone multiple generations of software/hardware to get multitasking right and Apple blatenely stating that was a battery decision. I for one am excited to have this NEW piece of tech and NEW category to play with but make no mistake these requests will come down the road in form of software but mainly hardware updates; like any piece of NEW tech.
Some apps will run on the watch without the phone present. The issue is with data. If the app requires a data connection and the watch doesn't have it (either Cellular via iPhone or Wifi) it will not be able to use the data functions of the app. This became evident with the recent discovery that you can use the watch independently of the iPhone as long as you're connected to a previously known Wifi network. Right now there is no third party app support, so most apps require some sort of data connection to be useful. Third party app support is in the works.
Last edited:
I think everyone would agree that Apple has put a lot of effort into preservation of battery life and that many developers have yet to figure out all the options for optimal performance. But we can’t get around the point that the first generation Apple Watch is a very limited piece of technology that, at least to my mind, has not even a killer app. I will be watching the developments, I’m sure technology will allow for more efficient and powerful data transmissions and processing in the near future, but currently the Apple Watch just seems too idealistic for an Apple product.
Yes, Clear does support iCloud. I use the Mac version of the app when writing my lists often.
Apple was very clear. Not that it should really matter since, with the example you use the yahoo weather app would not work with only the watch since it needs to be connected.
Currently there are no Third Party (full) apps in the watch. What you are seeing are third party app extensions. So basically it's a partial app, designed to just run what is needed on the watch, with the phone app as a backend to process the info. Full wach native apps are not allowed yet on the watch.
That is my understanding based in the keynote and other apple announcements. If anyone can clarify I would appreciate it.
However, to the AVERAGE user, it's really not an issue whether an app is an extension or full native.
----------
Such as? Examples of things besides alerts that you would want?
----------
This. 100%.
I've been reviewing the updated list of apps with the watch SDK every few days. I have no intention I'm installing all of them, just the ones that I think are going to actually make sense to me.
I use the current reminders on the iPhone constantly. But I never actually open the app. All of my interaction with my reminders in my calendar is done through voice on Siri, so the watch would be a great addition for me.
Currently there are no Third Party (full) apps in the watch. What you are seeing are third party app extensions. So basically it's a partial app, designed to just run what is needed on the watch, with the phone app as a backend to process the info. Full wach native apps are not allowed yet on the watch.
That is my understanding based in the keynote and other apple announcements. If anyone can clarify I would appreciate it.
However, to the AVERAGE user, it's really not an issue whether an app is an extension or full native.
----------
Such as? Examples of things besides alerts that you would want?
----------
This. 100%.
I've been reviewing the updated list of apps with the watch SDK every few days. I have no intention I'm installing all of them, just the ones that I think are going to actually make sense to me.
I use the current reminders on the iPhone constantly. But I never actually open the app. All of my interaction with my reminders in my calendar is done through voice on Siri, so the watch would be a great addition for me.
I think Twitter doesn't make much sense on it either besides for perhaps DM's and notifications. The flow is usually so fast that it can be taxing to catch up even on a laptop or phone, and I can't even being to fathom what it's like on a watch...
What I felt crossed my mind with these screenshots is that it's a pretty different device, since it has left the realms of "mini computer" -- it's simply too small to be worked on like that. It seems to really work best only as a notification agent with rare exceptions, like Shazam that only needs a button and can provide all the information it needed in a short song title, Apple Pay, perhaps a running app with a press "Start" and another "Pause/Stop", etc. The least I think it is, is a consumption and entertainment device.
What I felt crossed my mind with these screenshots is that it's a pretty different device, since it has left the realms of "mini computer" -- it's simply too small to be worked on like that. It seems to really work best only as a notification agent with rare exceptions, like Shazam that only needs a button and can provide all the information it needed in a short song title, Apple Pay, perhaps a running app with a press "Start" and another "Pause/Stop", etc. The least I think it is, is a consumption and entertainment device.
Yes, we can't get around the pint that the apple watch is limited piece of techniolgy in your mind. We do agree on that.
So, out running with just the watch, listening to some music on the watch, can you tell what the weather is going to be like later in the day with just the watch right now?
YES! Clear app for the Watch available at launch! YES!
I love Clear. I use it on my Mac, iPad and iPhone to keep me organized on my daily tasks and goals. I also use it for shopping lists and stuff. I was worried there wouldn't be a Watch app available around launch, and that I might have to resort to switching to Apple's Reminders app that I don't like as much, but nope!
I'll definitely contact the devs about this. Very happy to see it available, especially at launch. This is superb.
----------
Cool! I use WU and am very happy about the latest update for iPhone. I wonder if they're have just as nice looking widgets/glances for the weather and the radar available to put in Glances. That'd be really great!
I love Clear. I use it on my Mac, iPad and iPhone to keep me organized on my daily tasks and goals. I also use it for shopping lists and stuff. I was worried there wouldn't be a Watch app available around launch, and that I might have to resort to switching to Apple's Reminders app that I don't like as much, but nope!
I'll definitely contact the devs about this. Very happy to see it available, especially at launch. This is superb.
----------
Cool! I use WU and am very happy about the latest update for iPhone. I wonder if they're have just as nice looking widgets/glances for the weather and the radar available to put in Glances. That'd be really great!
In that case it would probably be like an iPhone with no connection. Whatever info is saved (not updated) info that was there before you went out would be available. You could listen to music and track your run but not updated weather.