The Apple Watch is about to get a whole lot more engaging; with Apple confirming the techy timepiece is to be bestowed with support for native apps.
Although there are already thousands of Apple Watch apps available for download, at present, all are simply compressed ports of existing iPhone alternative.
Now, however, the iPad maker has revealed its debut wearable will soon support dedicated apps which don’t need a separate app stored on a synced iPhone.
This will reduce the Moto 360 rival’s reliance on the companion phone, allowing owners to make better use of their high-end wrist wear.
“T
He added: “This gives developers even more time with really great apps that will change the world.”
Fitness and sport apps is just one category to make use of this, with user’s favourite fitness trackers to run natively on the watch, meaning your step count and calorie burn should always be on point.
Further native apps already confirmed including HomeKit, Ping’s golf swing analyser and Apple’s digital wallet.
Native app support is just one new feature heading to the wearable, with Apple outlining a broader array of improvements with the reworked watchOS 2 software release.
“We are moving really fast on watchOS,” Apple’s VP of Technology, Kevin Lynch stated, adding: “We are adding some new watch faces in watchOS 2. This includes photo faces.”
The latter feature allows users to create their own bespoke Apple Watch watch faces by utilising their iCloud photos, accessible through the device. This is something consumers had called for since the device launch back in April.
Related: Apple Watch vs Pebble Time
Further new Apple Watch features being introduced through watchOS 2 include a night stand mode – which turns the watch into a bedside alarm clock when docked – and Time Travel.
Yes, you read that right, Apple is introducing Time Travel. Sadly, not that sort of time travel.
The tantalisingly named feature will allow users to twiddle the device’s Digital Crown to scroll through calendar alerts directly on the watch face.
The new watchOS 2 features will be available to developers today, June 8. It will roll out to consumer device this autumn.
BREAKING NEWS: More to follow
Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
