92: You Don't Know My Pants

App Limits

The limitations of WatchKit apps reflect the early stages of development for the Apple Watch, reminiscent of the first iPhone SDK. Marco Arment notes that multitasking is virtually non-existent, with apps terminating once user interaction ceases 1. John Siracusa adds that the constraints are due to current hardware capabilities, similar to the original iPhone's limitations 2. He explains, "The watch is going to follow that same path, not because Apple doesn't know how to do those things, but because the hardware just isn't ready for it yet" 2.

   

Future Dev

Future development of WatchKit is anticipated to bring native apps, expanding functionality beyond current constraints. Marco Arment expects Apple to unveil a native SDK at the next WWDC, allowing for more robust app development 3. Casey Liss reflects on the predictions made by developers, noting that while some expectations were met, others were exceeded 4. Arment shares, "What we have now is more than I thought we would have, but definitely less than a full native SDK" 3.

   

Battery Life

Battery life optimization is a key focus for WatchKit, influencing the current app limitations. Marco Arment explains that initial restrictions help manage user expectations and preserve battery life 5. He suggests that Apple's strategy is to ensure users appreciate the watch's battery performance before introducing more demanding apps 5. Arment states, "Apple needs this time to both let people love the watch for its battery life, hopefully, and also to force both customers and developers to not just jump to, oh, I need to port my game to the watch" 5.