We’ve been saying all along that functionality — not buzz, nor style, nor reputation — will ultimately make or break the smartwatch as a must-have device. And we believe this is true for the Apple Watch, too, even though it is the generally-accepted leader in buzz, style and reputation.
So, it comes as no surprise that Apple is launching its software development kit for the Apple Watch in November, long before the vaunted wearable is even scheduled to hit the marketplace. The SDK, to be known as WatchKit, will surely have iOS developers drooling with excitement as they imagine coming up with the killer app that sends the Apple Watch into the stratosphere of sales.
It begs the question: what will the killer app be?
You see, that’s where all the speculation starts to get fun and interesting. Unfortunately, there are no guarantees in the world of mobile tech, as we’ve learned all too often. There are many devices out there that failed to garner a healthy share of software app developers.
Using the Apple Watch’s tiny screen as a canvas for the new apps will require a whole new interface on the part of the developers, and a whole new way of interacting on the part of consumers. Who knows how that will all turn out.
There will, no doubt, be a raft of health-oriented apps generated by the developers. And given the device’s tiny screen, we can expect the development of all kinds of notifications. Karsten Strauss of Forbes suggest that companies working on device security like Norton and McAfee – as well as banks and financial institutions, home security companies and private security firms –”would do well to create apps that alert people to breaches and important updates, not to mention keeping teams of personnel on the same page.”
It is also likely that note-taking apps like Papyrus, OneNote and Evernote are working on ideas to let users scrawl notes on the run, and time management developers are surely refining calendar and appointment apps for the Apple Watch. The new apps will join those already on board with the device, including Facebook, Twitter, BMW and American Airlines. We can’t wait to see what they come up with.