Apple has released its WatchKit development tools to developers, allowing would-be app makers to code and test new apps and services for its upcoming Apple Watch. According to Apple, the iOS 8.2 SDK beta includes programming guides, human interface guidelines and templates among other tools, but developers will only be able to start creating native apps for Apple Watch from next year.
At the moment, there are three options available to developers: traditional apps, actionable notifications and 'glances'. The latter provides information simply by looking down at the watch face, with Apple giving the example of getting the latest news and sports scores to alarm system updates or the next step in your favourite recipe.
Actionable notifications, on the other hand, allow users to respond instantly to activities straight from their wrist, including liking photos on Instagram, turning off your house lights once you've shut the door, accessing flight information at the airport and navigation.
Digging a little deeper into the Human Interface guidelines, it also looks as though the two different Apple Watch sizes will have different resolutions, with the smaller 38mm or 1.5in watch having a 272x340 resolution display, while the larger 42mm or 1.65in will have a resolution of 312x390.
“Apple Watch is our most personal device ever, and WatchKit provides the incredible iOS developer community with the tools they need to create exciting new experiences right on your wrist,” said Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing.
“With the iOS 8.2 beta SDK, developers can now start using WatchKit to create breakthrough new apps, Glances and actionable notifications designed for the innovative Apple Watch interface and work with new technologies such as Force Touch, Digital Crown and Taptic Engine.”
