Announcing the availability of WatchKit, Apple in a press note titled "Developers Start Designing Apps for Apple Watch," said, "Developers can create innovative WatchKit apps, actionable notifications and Glances, for timely information accessible by an easy, quick look at Apple Watch."
In addition to announcing the new WatchKit SDK for developers, the Cupertino-based company also launched a microsite with more details about Apple Watch.
(Also see: Apple Watch: Timely Idea or a Bit Too late?)
The company adds that the iOS 8.2 SDK beta including WatchKit is now available immediately for iOS Developer Program members on the Watchkit microsite. "The WatchKit site includes programming guides, human interface guidelines, templates and more," notes Apple. The company also confirmed that developers will be able to create native apps for the Apple Watch sometime in 2015, saying, "Starting later next year, developers will be able to create fully native apps for Apple Watch."
The site notes, "WatchKit apps have two parts: A WatchKit extension that runs on iPhone and a set of user interface resources that are installed on Apple Watch. When your app is launched on Apple Watch, the WatchKit extension on iPhone runs in the background to update the user interface and respond to user interactions." The company also reveals three types of integrations for Apple Watch namely - WatchKit apps, Glances and actionable notifications.
9to5mac points out, "The development process for WatchKit apps are actually very different to that of normal iOS apps for iPhone and iPad, as much of the computation is done on the connected iPhone rather than rendered by the watch's hardware itself." In other words, till native apps for the Apple Watch are released, all apps for the platform require an iPhone to operate.
Commenting on the WatchKit SDK release, Philip Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing said, "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. 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."
With the release of WatchKit SDK, more details about the screen resolution of the Apple Watch have been revealed, which were not announced earlier by the company.
MacRumors in a report citing Apple's human interface guidelines claims that the two Apple Watch models have different resolutions. The 38mm Apple Watch model is said to have a resolution of 272x340 pixels, while the 42mm Apple Watch model has a resolution of 312x390 pixels.
The report also suggests that in the WatchKit document the company refers to the display on Apple Watch as 'Retina' and "instructs developers to use 2x image assets."
For those unaware, the Apple Watch is scheduled to launch in early 2015.
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