Apple Launches WatchKit, Letting Developers Begin Building For Its Wearable

Apple has launched WatchKit, the development platform for its debut smartwatch, which will be available to consumers sometime early next year. The Apple Watch at launch supports apps that include both a WatchKit extension on the iPhone connected to the device, and UI elements stored on the Watch itself. The iPhone runs the show, but the Apple Watch is sending output (like notifications) and receiving input (via taps or other actions) from the user.

Developers interested can grab the Xcode 6.2 beta, as well as the iOS 8.2 SDK that includes WatchKit, and it also requires the iOS 8.2 beta to develop the WatchKit extensions for use on your phone.

Apple has provided design guidelines and human interface guidelines for those building software for its wearable, too. These include suggestions and templates for different types of interfaces, tips on how to build the best home screen icons for the Apple Watch’s new unique bubble-based menu, size and layout style suggestions, as well as fonts and tips on text sizes. Apple’s smartwatch is an entirely new category, so the design language to be used on the apps built for it will differ considerably from what people are used to on their phones and tablets.

Developing…

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