Major Apps Abandoning Apple Watch
Neil Hughes (via Dan Masters):
In the last few weeks, the latest update for Google Maps on iOS ditched support for the Apple Watch. Its removal was not mentioned in the release notes, and Google has not indicated whether support for watchOS will be reinstated.
It's the same story with Amazon and eBay, both of which previously included Apple Watch support in their iOS apps. Both were updated in late April, and as of Monday, neither includes an Apple Watch app.
Update (2017-05-03): John Gruber:
It’s pretty clear that despite the significant improvements in WatchOS 3, Apple Watch is not a successful app platform. It’s a successful fitness tracker and notification platform, but not for apps.
[…]
It’s just too slow and finicky to even get apps installed on Apple Watch in the first place. And the thing most apps are useful for on the watch — notifications — you don’t even need a WatchOS app for. You can just have the notifications from your iPhone show up on your watch.
Update (2017-10-01): Chance Miller (via Dan Masters):
Earlier today, Apple Watch users noticed that Twitter had seemingly killed off its Apple Watch app with a silent update to the iOS client. Given the release of the cellular Apple Watch, many had hoped developers would have a renewed interest in Apple Watch apps, but this doesn’t seem to be the case for Twitter…
5 Comments RSS · Twitter
Timeline of the Apple Watch:
2014: Switzerland is doomed
2015: Okay, it's not an iPhone, but it'll do at least iPod numbers
2016: Look how amazing the Apple Watch is doing... if you compare it to Android Wear!
2017: But... but... these were just bad apps, you guys!
How long until we can admit that people kinda don't want smartwatches?
If the Apple Watch is doing so well, how come in its entire existence I have only seen 5 of them? Yet I can walk into any cafe and instantly see at least 5 iPhones and 5 Macs.
"How long until we can admit that people kinda don't want smartwatches?"
Didn't we all admit that at the launch of Apple watch?
The only real issue is if Apple is making enough margin on the product when R&D is factored in. If so, it'll keep going on as a product we can continue to ignore. If not, it'll disappear.
FWIW, I think the fact that 'people kinda don't want smartwatches' is precisely why Apple focused on high end 'jewelry' models, which is likely where they're making whatever minor profits they're making.
> The only real issue is if Apple is making enough margin on the product when R&D is factored in.
That ignores opportunity cost and marketing effects.
> why Apple focused on high end 'jewelry' models
Apple killed the high-end >10'000$ watch versions, right?
