CUPERTINO, California—November 18, 2014—Apple today announced the?availability of WatchKit,?software that gives developers a set of tools to easily?create experiences designed specifically for Apple?Watch—Apple’s most?personal device ever. Apple has the world’s most vibrant and innovative?developer?community, and now these developers can begin developing WatchKit?apps before Apple Watch becomes?available. Developers can create innovative?WatchKit apps, actionable notifications and Glances, for timely?information?accessible by an easy, quick look at Apple Watch.

“Apple Watch is our most personal device ever, and WatchKit provides the?incredible iOS developer?community with the tools they need to create exciting?new experiences right on your wrist,” said Philip?Schiller, Apple’s senior vice?president of Worldwide Marketing. “With the iOS 8.2 beta SDK, developers can?now start using WatchKit to create breakthrough new apps, Glances and?actionable notifications designed?for the innovative Apple Watch interface and?work with new technologies such as Force Touch, Digital?Crown and Taptic?Engine.”

Developers can create notifications that allow users to take action or respond?right from their wrist such as?turning the lights off after they've left the house,?quickly accessing flight details at the airport, and rerouting?their transit when a?train or bus is late. Developers can incorporate Glances, which quickly show?users?information they care about most, such as the latest news and sports?scores, alarm system status or the?next step of a favourite recipe.?

Developers who have previewed the WatchKit tools and APIs are eager to start?building on the personal?and immediate experiences Apple Watch will offer?users*.

“Fans crave real-time and personal information, and the ESPN app for Apple?Watch gives us the ability to?deliver live scores and information for their favourite?teams,” said John Kosner, executive vice president of?Digital and Print Media,?ESPN. “Glances provide fans with a snapshot of live games, and if there is no?game taking place, they’ll get valuable game-time information or the final box?score. With actionable?notifications, the experience becomes even more?personal, as fans receive alerts on score changes, news?and more.”

“Apple Watch allows us to make the Instagram experience even more intimate?and in the moment,” says?Kevin Systrom, co-founder and CEO of Instagram.?“With actionable notifications you can see and instantly?like a photo or react with?an emoji. The Instagram news and watch list allows you to see your friends’ latest?photos, follow new accounts and get a real-time view of your likes and?comments.”

“The American Airlines app on Apple Watch reminds you when it’s time to head?to the airport via pre-trip?notifications, and provides updates for gate changes,?connecting gate info upon arrival, and will notify you?when boarding begins if?you’re not at the gate yet,” said John Gustafson, American Airlines vice president?of Digital. “Travelers can also ask ‘Where am I?’ in-flight and get real-time?location information at 30,000 ft.”

The iOS 8.2 SDK beta including WatchKit is available immediately for iOS?Developer Program members at developer.apple.com/watchkit. The WatchKit site includes programming guides, human interface guidelines,?templates and more. Starting later next year, developers will be able to create?fully native apps for Apple?Watch.

* App features are subject to change and may not be available in all regions or all?languages. Apple Watch?requires iPhone 5 or later.

Apple designs Macs, the best personal computers in the world, along with OS X,?iLife, iWork and?professional software. Apple leads the digital music revolution?with its iPods and iTunes online store. Apple?has reinvented the mobile phone?with its revolutionary iPhone and App Store, and is defining the future of?mobile?media and computing devices with iPad.

Press Contact:
Adam Howorth
Apple
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