Apple has just released the WatchKit tool that allows developers to start making apps for the Apple Watch, and it comes with some tantalising bits of information on the forthcoming smartwatch itself.
One of the bits of information revealed in Apple’s new developer tool, which is available from today for iOS Developer Program members, concerns the screen resolution of the Apple Watch. Or rather, the screen resolutions.
The smaller of the two Apple Watch models will come with a 1.5-inch 272 x 340 display, while the larger model will feature a 1.65-inch 312 x 390 display. Both are given the “Retina” tag, in keeping with Apple’s terminology for its particularly sharp displays.
If you’re wondering how that stacks up to the Android opposition, the answer is that they’re pretty similar. The most recent Android Wear device, the Sony Smartwatch 3, has a fairly typical 1.6-inch 320 x 320 screen. Obviously, though, the Apple Watch isn’t quite square, with a 4:5 aspect ratio.
Apple has created a brand new font especially for these compact displays, and it’s called San Francisco.
Elsewhere in Apple’s WatchKit documentation, we learn that all initial Apple Watch apps will need a corresponding iPhone app. The Watch element effectively acts as an extension of that. Only apps that measure time in some way can stand alone at first.
However, according to the Apple press release on the matter, “Starting later next year, developers will be able to create fully native apps for Apple Watch.”
We also learn that there will be two types of notification in the Apple Watch – one that presents a brief summary when glanced at, and a more detailed and flexible notification that manifests when you keep the watch raised for a little longer.
The Apple Watch is expcted to launch in several models some time “early 2015.”
Read More: Apple Watch vs Android Wear
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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.
