Apple's 'iWatch' to have own software development kit and App Store for third-party apps
Apple’s rumored wearable device will have its own SDK and even its very own App Store for third-party apps, according to a new report by 9to5Mac.
“A small handful of high-profile social network and services companies with apps on the iPhone and iPad App Store have already been seeded with a pre-release version of the Apple SDK (Software Development Kit) for wearables under strict non-disclosure agreements,” the site reports. “The SDK was seeded ‘very recently’ to these developers, and Apple likely wants to demonstrate some third-party wearable apps at Tuesday’s event, according to one source.”
On Tuesday, Sept. 9, Apple is expected to unveil the so-called “iWatch” alongside the “iPhone 6″ at a special media event, to which top fashionistas have been invited.
The wearable device, however, is not expected to be officially released until next year. This should give developers plenty of time to create and improve their apps for the iWatch before the device actually gets strapped on users’ wrists.
Apps for the iWatch are likely to run on iOS 8 and have tight integration with the mobile operating system’s Extensions, HealthKit and HomeKit APIs. Expectations of the device’s being less a standalone product than an iPhone accessory are supported by its SDK’s use of interoperability features including Continuity, Handoff and Widgets.
Photo: iWatch concept by Martin Hajek
