Why do all watch apps need an iOS companion?

[patent10021]

Currently all watch apps have an iOS counterpart. Do some watch apps only have an iOS launch screen just so that the dev can get onto the watch store? I think I have seen this.

Maybe in watchOS 6 we might finally have standalone apps? What do you think will have to happen for this to be a reality?

 

[Shirasaki]

What is the point to have an app that works only on watch? iPhone has bigger screen, more powerful processor, and they can do more. What we have right now is the app no longer need to be loaded from the phone each time the app is launched. But still, real-time data fetch and certain features are just not suitable for a watch.