One of the big questions we’re looking forward to Apple answering at tomorrow’s Apple Watch event is actually a relatively simple one: Can Apple Watch users add their own custom watch faces to the device?
The answer to that question might seem obvious, but Apple has not gone on record saying you can add new faces to the Apple Watch. Instead, the official website details just nine faces for the Apple Watch.
But if we had to bet on whether the Apple Watch will allow you to add custom faces, we’d guess yes. In fact, I bet we’ll see a lot more about this tomorrow. Here’s why.
First, while Apple hasn’t said anything about whether developers can code their own watch faces, the WatchKit API is designed to allow developers to create their own interactions, faces, glances and more.
https://youtu.be/Y2SHnvtAtxs?t=3m10s
Second, as Razorian Fly notes, Apple accidentally showed off the ability to add custom faces to the Apple Watch app following its media event last September. During that event, an Apple representative accidentally scrolled past the last Watch face installed on his Apple Watch, briefly showing a big white “+” button for adding a new face.
Third, let’s just point out the obvious. Customers will want new watch faces. They’ll want to buy them. Sure, a lot of them will probably be terrible: I’m thinking of branded watch faces for crappy heavy metal bands, or Justin Bieber. Even so, it’s a major potential revenue stream for both developers and — by extension — Apple, which would receive its customary 30 percent cut on every Apple Watch face sold.
So I don’t think the question is if Apple will allow users to install their own watch faces, but how it will go about selling them. The video above suggests that watch faces won’t be installed like regular Apple Watch apps, but by using a custom interface. Does that mean Apple Watch apps will be installed using a custom store? Or, like Apple Watch apps, will they be tied to apps you download and install on your iPhone or iPad?
We should know all tomorrow. But I’m really excited to see what Apple has in store for developers who want to create their own watch faces.
Via: Razorianfly
