Why Apple won’t allow 3rd party watch faces

[Akrapovic]

[doublepost=1539314863][/doublepost]I’m not sure what you mean by justifying $50 cosmetic watch bands. Obviously you can’t wear the watch without a band. But I doubt Apple spends much time or resources supporting 3rd party watch bands. Not at all comparable to a watch face App Store that would need to be curated/maintained by Apple.

Well someone said, "Who'd pay for Watch faces?". So I pointed out that paying for cosmetic items is not only the norm in every other form of digital content, but it's also the norm for the Apple Watch - we do it with Watch straps. So why is it daft to pay for cosmetic items, except expensive Watch straps?

A digital store that has cosmetic downloads is absolutely 100% comparable to an online store. Apple already deal with this problem with various online stores. The "problem" of watch faces is such a non-issue that everybody already solved it decades ago, including Apple.

 

[JT2002TJ]

I think Apple and 3rd party devs should focus their energy on complications/widgets..

Why can't they focus on complications/widgets AND watch faces? All they have to do is determine the size and placement of complications, then allow 3rd party developer to develop watch faces around that.

For example, why can't we change the shape of the analog hands? Apple could develop specifications, and allow me to purchase set of hands I like. How about different date wheels (mechanical watch term)? So many possibilities.

There is potential for a TON of money. And when they do it (they will eventually), those who are disagreeing will be taking advantage of it...

This will let Apple focus on other things, let the 3rd party developers handle these things as APIs.

 

[tromboneaholic]

Why can't they focus on complications/widgets AND watch faces? All they have to do is determine the size and placement of complications, then allow 3rd party developer to develop watch faces around that.

They don't want it to look like myspace.com and die. That's why.

So far they have Nike and Hermes. They are going to work with third parties that add value.

 

[JT2002TJ]

They don't want it to look like myspace.com and die. That's why.

So far they have Nike and Hermes. They are going to work with third parties that add value.

Until they do... And do so successfully. They will, eventually, and as another member stated, it will be a feature of some future version. You will see huge sales as people make the jump just for the ability to do so.

I will be sure to remember this thread, and remind all those who seem to think that what Apple has currently done is the only way to do things forever. And, if Apple hasn't currently done something, there is no possible way to monetize it.

 

[tromboneaholic]

Until they do... And do so successfully. They will, eventually, and as another member stated, it will be a feature of some future version. You will see huge sales as people make the jump just for the ability to do so.

I will be sure to remember this thread, and remind all those who seem to think that what Apple has currently done is the only way to do things forever. And, if Apple hasn't currently done something, there is no possible way to monetize it.

I think it was John Gruber who wrote that Apple doesn't want to just win the race. They want to win the race driving the nicest car.

Allowing third parties with unknown pedigree to design front ends for the hardware would be very un-Apple like.

 

[mcdj]

Fine, a curated face store might be a pain to run and not a big moneymaker. There’s probably a large portion of AW owners who don’t even realize or care that you can change the face.

But for those that want to, I don’t understand the limitations on customization. Why do some faces allow color changes of hands and markers while others don’t? Why are photo faces limited to digital only in the upper right corner? Why aren’t there more font choices for the numerals? Why aren’t there more genres? EG, dress watch, with Roman numerals on a white dial. Or old school segmented LCD? Why no 1980s calculator watch face? Why no elapsed time bezel a la Rolex Sub? How about an illustrated moon phase you can actually see instead of the gray mushy blob they use now?

There is so much room to improve customization from within the walled garden without opening it up to developers or curating a store.

 

[tromboneaholic]

Fine, a curated face store might be a pain to run and not a big moneymaker. There’s probably a large portion of AW owners who don’t even realize or care that you can change the face.

But for those that want to, I don’t understand the limitations on customization. Why do some faces allow color changes of hands and markers while others don’t? Why are photo faces limited to digital only in the upper right corner? Why aren’t there more font choices for the numerals? Why aren’t there more genres? EG, dress watch, with Roman numerals on a white dial. Or old school segmented LCD? Why no 1980s calculator watch face? Why no elapsed time bezel a la Rolex Sub? How about an illustrated moon phase you can actually see instead of the gray mushy blob they use now?

There is so much room to improve customization from within the walled garden without opening it up to developers or curating a store.

I think this would be a direction Apple could take, and probably will. I think the watch interface started out a bit confusing, and they've evolved it to a point that is usable. Focusing on refining the interface, while adding the complexity of increased customization might have run counter to the direction they had. Now that it feels like WatchOS has matured, I wouldn't be surprised to see Apple go in the direction you described as far as allowing their own customizations.

By the way, photo face also allows you to put the time on the bottom right corner, but that doesn't weaken your point.

 

[JT2002TJ]

Fine, a curated face store might be a pain to run and not a big moneymaker. There’s probably a large portion of AW owners who don’t even realize or care that you can change the face.

But for those that want to, I don’t understand the limitations on customization. Why do some faces allow color changes of hands and markers while others don’t? Why are photo faces limited to digital only in the upper right corner? Why aren’t there more font choices for the numerals? Why aren’t there more genres? EG, dress watch, with Roman numerals on a white dial. Or old school segmented LCD? Why no 1980s calculator watch face? Why no elapsed time bezel a la Rolex Sub? How about an illustrated moon phase you can actually see instead of the gray mushy blob they use now?

There is so much room to improve customization from within the walled garden without opening it up to developers or curating a store.

This is why it SHOULD be 3rd party. Apple has too many things to handle already. Not being able to deliver products/features on time (ECG, Group FT,...), inconsistencies with current designs, to flaws in their OS'.

I've been using an Apple watch since the first day (I got a S0 SS), why is it that since iOS 5 came out there are email notification issues. I manage multiple servers, and manage multiple software products, emails are my livelihood. I have tried every suggested fix, and still only get my emails when I lift my hand as it comes in (No haptic feedback, no audible notification).

 

[tromboneaholic]

This is why it SHOULD be 3rd party. Apple has too many things to handle already. Not being able to deliver products/features on time (ECG, Group FT,...), inconsistencies with current designs, to flaws in their OS'.

I've been using an Apple watch since the first day (I got a S0 SS), why is it that since iOS 5 came out there are email notification issues. I manage multiple servers, and manage multiple software products, emails are my livelihood. I have tried every suggested fix, and still only get my emails when I lift my hand as it comes in (No haptic feedback, no audible notification).

Why would apple allow third parties to design the UI?
One of Apple's main value propositions from the beginning is they design the software and hardware together.

 

[akash.nu]

Fine, a curated face store might be a pain to run and not a big moneymaker. There’s probably a large portion of AW owners who don’t even realize or care that you can change the face.

But for those that want to, I don’t understand the limitations on customization. Why do some faces allow color changes of hands and markers while others don’t? Why are photo faces limited to digital only in the upper right corner? Why aren’t there more font choices for the numerals? Why aren’t there more genres? EG, dress watch, with Roman numerals on a white dial. Or old school segmented LCD? Why no 1980s calculator watch face? Why no elapsed time bezel a la Rolex Sub? How about an illustrated moon phase you can actually see instead of the gray mushy blob they use now?

There is so much room to improve customization from within the walled garden without opening it up to developers or curating a store.

Now these are valid feature requests. I hope apple does make some changes like these in the future.
Although, seeing these are minor refinements, I’m not sure if they’ll actually prioritise these over some health specific features.

 

[oeagleo]

If people are wondering about why Apple doesn't allow everyone to design watch faces, just take a look over in the Garmin forums. A good number of the Connect IQ (site to download apps and watch faces for the Garmin series of devices) Watch faces consistently crash, or cause other problems, or have to be consistently updated to account for the upgrades in the watches. What works for the Fenix 3 may or may not work with the Fenix 5, etc, and if the firmware is updated, or the development app gets an update, then the watch faces must be updated, and some of the developers aren't exactly conscientious about doing that. Maybe Apple doesn't want to open that can of worms?

 

[PatrickNSF]

A good number of the Connect IQ (site to download apps and watch faces for the Garmin series of devices) Watch faces consistently crash, or cause other problems, or have to be consistently updated to account for the upgrades in the watches.

The watch faces I use on my Fenix 5 work fine. I enjoy the variety.

If Apple allows third party apps, there's no reason not to allow third party watch faces.

 

[tromboneaholic]

If Apple allows third party apps, there's no reason not to allow third party watch faces.

Aside from those already listed.

 

[barjam]

Apple is being smart controlling this the way they do. Opening it up to third parties makes little sense for them. Almost no one cares and the risk/reward just isn't there.

 

[Rogifan]

Marco tweeted this today:

Marco Arment (@marcoarment)
10/12/18, 1:20 PM
“When displaying one of my creations, it is now truly *my* most personal device ever.”
— ⁦‪@_DavidSmith‬⁩ https://david-smith.org/blog/2018/10/12/exploring-custom-watchos-watch-faces/

OK well seeing as the majority of Apple Watch owners are not software developers I don’t find this argument very convincing. Also if I’m downloading a watch face designed by someone else how does that make it my most personal device ever? Finally, everything Arment is showing off are things coming from really good software designers. For this it work it would have to be heavily curated which as I’ve mentioned brings up a whole other set of work/issues. And you know users would say what right does Apple have to say which 3rd party watch faces are are good or not? Or the flip side is Apple maybe starts with something curated but then it gets neglected or standards get relaxed and pretty soon the watch face store is a dumpester fire. And for what, a handful of devs that want to make their own faces. Not worth the resources imo.
[doublepost=1539372086][/doublepost]

Well someone said, "Who'd pay for Watch faces?". So I pointed out that paying for cosmetic items is not only the norm in every other form of digital content, but it's also the norm for the Apple Watch - we do it with Watch straps. So why is it daft to pay for cosmetic items, except expensive Watch straps?

A digital store that has cosmetic downloads is absolutely 100% comparable to an online store. Apple already deal with this problem with various online stores. The "problem" of watch faces is such a non-issue that everybody already solved it decades ago, including Apple.

Yeah so how’s that iMessage store doing? Seeing a lot of stickers being bought?
[doublepost=1539372312][/doublepost]

Why can't they focus on complications/widgets AND watch faces? All they have to do is determine the size and placement of complications, then allow 3rd party developer to develop watch faces around that.

For example, why can't we change the shape of the analog hands? Apple could develop specifications, and allow me to purchase set of hands I like. How about different date wheels (mechanical watch term)? So many possibilities.

There is potential for a TON of money. And when they do it (they will eventually), those who are disagreeing will be taking advantage of it...

This will let Apple focus on other things, let the 3rd party developers handle these things as APIs.

Apple has yet to allow iOS customization outside of background wallpaper. I’m not sure why you’re so certain they will open up Watch faces to 3rd parties.
[doublepost=1539372581][/doublepost]

If people are wondering about why Apple doesn't allow everyone to design watch faces, just take a look over in the Garmin forums. A good number of the Connect IQ (site to download apps and watch faces for the Garmin series of devices) Watch faces consistently crash, or cause other problems, or have to be consistently updated to account for the upgrades in the watches. What works for the Fenix 3 may or may not work with the Fenix 5, etc, and if the firmware is updated, or the development app gets an update, then the watch faces must be updated, and some of the developers aren't exactly conscientious about doing that. Maybe Apple doesn't want to open that can of worms?

It’s exactly this. And yeah Apple could have a heavily curated store but then you’d have people complaining that it’s too locked down or Apple is playing favorites with certain devs. And you’d have other devs on social media whining about a Watch face they submitted that Apple rejected and the tech twitter mob all outraged that Apple rejected the Watch face etc. etc. etc.

 

[Akrapovic]

[doublepost=1539372086][/doublepost]
Yeah so how’s that iMessage store doing? Seeing a lot of stickers being bought?

Yeah? Me and the kids love it? I've no idea how popular they are outside of that, but we do love a good gif and sticker. Not sure what you're getting at. One is a set of icons for social use (which won't beat the freight train of emojis), and the other is cosmetic downloadable content.

I could counter this with "How's that cosmetic DLC for [insert game name here] going?". Literally, millions being made off of selling stupid hats in Team Fortress 2, football cards in FIFA, clothing items in Battlefield, and Watch straps for Watch users. There's a reason game have all moved to monetise cosmetic items - it's a cash cow.

Every single reason that's been given against a watch face store applies to the AppStore too.

• They would be too many rubbish faces - yeah, and the AppStore is filled with crap too. This is what highlights and charts are for.
• It wouldn't make any money - current cosmetic addon stores suggest otherwise
• Apple don't let you do cosmetic changes - photo face and watch straps say otherwise
• Copyright needs policing - also applies to the AppStore
• Faces could be badly made and crash - Most apps in the AppStore crash or have done at some point in their life.
• Faces may not work on all watches - also applies to apps not supporting old iOS versions
• Faces will need updated when watches update - so, like apps then?

I find it funny that Apple revolutionised the phone, tablet and watch industries, and we're being told stores and firmware are just too hard for them to work out.

 

[snortpig]

I read somewhere that if you see someone look at their (regular, analogue) watch and then immediately ask them what time it is, they’ll have to look again.

Apparently with an analogue watch you tend to focus on where in the day you are, rather than the specific time.

I think this is probably true. When you glance at an analogue clock face, you can quickly tell things like "has a certain time passed" or "approximately how long has it been since the last time I looked" but you don't form the exact time into words like "quarter to three" or "half past noon" unless someone asks, since you can answer those internal questions without bothering to form words.

 

[Akrapovic]

I think this is probably true. When you glance at an analogue clock face, you can quickly tell things like "has a certain time passed" or "approximately how long has it been since the last time I looked" but you don't form the exact time into words like "quarter to three" or "half past noon" unless someone asks, since you can answer those internal questions without bothering to form words.

This is totally true. My job is running emergency response exercises. If you use an analogue clock, the people involved tend to use relative time. "The helicopter is due 15 minutes from now". If you use digital clocks, they tend to use absolute time. "The helicopter is due at 1430". It's odd, but it's certainly true.

 

[44267547]

Apple is being smart controlling this the way they do. Opening it up to third parties makes little sense for them. Almost no one cares and the risk/reward just isn't there.

To an Extent, I would agree, but for those who really find the Apple Watch very personal, they want more customization, because that’s what the Apple Watch is so good at in terms of the band switching and customizing the complications, etc. If Apple does allow third-party watch faces, it’s not also showing that they’re listening to the customer, but it gives more access to developers to expand the Apple Watch in general. But that’s entirely up to Apple and we don’t know if or when that will happen.

 

[Rogifan]

To an Extent, I would agree, but for those who really find the Apple Watch very personal, they want more customization, because that’s what the Apple Watch is so good at in terms of the band switching and customizing the complications, etc. If Apple does allow third-party watch faces, it’s not also showing that they’re listening to the customer, but it gives more access to developers to expand the Apple Watch in general. But that’s entirely up to Apple and we don’t know if or when that will happen.

I don’t think Apple needs to offer 3rd party watch faces to expand the platform. I think compliations are what expands the platform. It doesn’t look like these watch faces do anything more than show the time. And every 3rd party face I’ve seen on Twitter this past week is just a pretty analog face (or a rip off of the Hermès faces).

Honestly if people just want a prettier looking Watch face then shoot, Apple should just throw a Watch face maker in the iPhone Watch app. Looking at the images above Apple could offer some templates where users could tweak the colors or level of granularity. It could offer more personalization without having to maintain a faces store that inevitably would become a dumpster fire.

 

[PatrickNSF]

I would buy those. And it's the same rationale that some people use to buy the Nike+ over the regular watch – extra watch faces.

 

[jsavvy]

I would buy those. And it's the same rationale that some people use to buy the Nike+ over the regular watch – extra watch faces.

The point about some people buying the Nike watch for the extra watch faces is spot on. That’s a major selling point of the Nike version in my opinion.

I’m curious how many have done so for this reason alone?

 

[tromboneaholic]

The watch could use more personalization options without being a poop fest. I think that's what everyone in this thread agree with.

However, bedroom devs dumping 99 cent watch faces onto a web store would kill Apple Watch.

 

[Rogifan]

The watch could use more personalization options without being a poop fest. I think that's what everyone in this thread agree with.

However, bedroom devs dumping 99 cent watch faces onto a web store would kill Apple Watch.

This.

 

[QquegChristian]

Am I the only one driven absolutely insane by every digital face displaying the time only in the top right corner, even though the time is centered on the iPhone lock screen and in the top LEFT corner on an unlocked iPhone?

Every single time I check the time on my phone I look up at the battery meter instead.

I welcome third party faces if only to finally get a digital face that is symmetrical or at least consistent with iOS.