Apple on Friday posted a note on its Developer website about a new requirement starting on June 1st. From that date on, new watchOS apps submitted to the app store must be native apps built using watchOS 2 SDK or later. That means that these new apps for Apple Watch must be able to run on the timepiece without having an Apple iPhone nearby.
When the Apple Watch first launched, most apps had to be stored on the iPhone handset that was paired with the timepiece. When the Apple Watch user wanted to run them, the apps were streamed to the timepiece. With the release of watchOS 2 came support for native apps. Apps that are native to the platform open quicker and run smoother on the watch.
While it might not be ready for the Apple Watch 2, eventually the timepiece will come with its own eSIM allowing it to run totally free without being paired to an iPhone. That would allow users to make/take calls directly from their wrists. Forcing all future watchOS apps to be native to the platform is possibly the first step in that direction.
Apple tells developers of apps for watchOS 2 that all such apps must be native after June 1st
Alan, an ardent smartphone enthusiast and a veteran writer at PhoneArena since 2009, has witnessed and chronicled the transformative years of mobile technology. Owning iconic phones from the original iPhone to the iPhone 15 Pro Max, he has seen smartphones evolve into a global phenomenon. Beyond smartphones, Alan has covered the emergence of tablets, smartwatches, and smart speakers.
Recommended Stories
Loading Comments...
COMMENT
All comments need to comply with our
Community Guidelines
Phonearena comments rules
A discussion is a place, where people can voice their opinion, no matter if it
is positive, neutral or negative. However, when posting, one must stay true to the topic, and not just share some
random thoughts, which are not directly related to the matter.
Things that are NOT allowed:
Off-topic talk - you must stick to the subject of discussion
Offensive, hate speech - if you want to say something, say it politely
Spam/Advertisements - these posts are deleted
Multiple accounts - one person can have only one account
Impersonations and offensive nicknames - these accounts get banned
Moderation is done by humans. We try to be as objective as possible and moderate with zero bias. If you think a
post should be moderated - please, report it.
Have a question about the rules or why you have been moderated/limited/banned? Please,
contact us.
FCC OKs Cingular\'s purchase of AT&T Wireless
Things that are NOT allowed: