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Apple begins releasing the first set of third-party Apple Watch apps

Screen Shot 2015-03-26 at 2.03.11 PM

The Apple Watch is still almost a month away from shipping and 15 days away from being available to preview in Apple Stores, but a select few apps selected by Apple to be available for the Apple Watch have started hitting the App Store today. These app updates that add Apple Watch support include Twitter, Things, Target, Dark Sky, and Sky Guide, and many more apps are continuing to roll out with support.

While most developers working on Apple Watch apps ahead of the device’s release next month still cannot submit their Watch-specific updates, Apple has clearly flipped the switch on the select apps being promoted alongside the Apple Watch.

The apps are likely being released publicly now to allow the inevitable Apple Watch reviewers to access third-party Apple Watch apps. These apps will likely also be included with the Apple Store Apple Watches to show customers how familiar third-party apps from their iPhone can work with the new device.

Apple Watch support has been added to a number of existing App Store iPhone apps including:

More apps are continuing to roll out now. You can update to or download these versions of each iPhone app now, although obviously the Apple Watch functionality won’t work until your iPhone is paired with the new device.

Closer to the Apple Watch’s actual debut, the now included Apple Watch app on iOS 8.2 for iPhone will feature a dedicated App Store for Apple Watch apps. Earlier this month we showed you the dozens of App Store apps which will support the Apple Watch. Apple also has a microsite dedicated to upcoming Apple Watch apps, many of which are shipping now.

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Comments

  1. Chris Denny (@dennyc69) - 9 years ago

    Yep, Evernote as well!

  2. James Alexander - 9 years ago

    I just say a few apps today adding Apple Watch. Target app. Oh yeah.

    • scumbolt2014 - 9 years ago

      Yeah. Unlike Google’s Glassholes, Apple Watch early purchasers will actually have a selection of apps available to use on their devices. How lame.

  3. Paul Douglas - 9 years ago

    British Airways too, so I imagine other major airlines as well.

  4. Jordan Krahn (@jkrahn) - 9 years ago

    Looks like Expedia and Transit App also updated with Watch support.

  5. Gazoo Bee - 9 years ago

    Just to be picky … these are not “Apple Watch Apps,” they are actually just apps which presumably now provide glances to the Watch. At least all the links you provided go directly to standard iOS apps for iPhone and iPad.

    This distinction is going to be more important when actual apps that run on the watch become available later on, but don’t you think it’s important to get it right no, so as to avoid al that confusion later?

    • thefinley - 9 years ago

      Some of these might have glances, yes, but others will be providing WatchKit Apps. In the terms of Apple, native apps (running solely on the Apple Watch as opposed to running from the iPhone) will be coming later this year, but in the meantime we have WatchKit Apps, Glances, and Notifications available as developers.

    • Mo Moosa (@_momoosa) - 9 years ago

      Well the apps coming later will be native, so we could call them native watch apps, or we could call the current ones extensions, as that is what they are. Fair point either way.

    • snoman4096 - 9 years ago

      Just to be picky on your comment… these are not native apps that run on the apple watch, BUT they are watch kit apps, which may or may not contain glance views. Basically, these apps will have icons on the home screen and involve more than just viewing info in a “glance”.

      • Gazoo Bee - 9 years ago

        Well, I could be wrong, but these are definitely the first of two “types” of apps, and the second type (that isn’t here yet) is the one more correctly referred to as an “Apple Watch App.”

        All of the links to the “Apps” in this article take me to the App store and leave me staring at the “regular” iOS App. Most don’t even have any *mention* of Apple Watch functionality. Most have been in existence for years already.

        So even if I’m incorrect about this (and I kinda don’t think I am), where is the actual evidence of what kind of apps these are?

      • Michael Perry (@Alticus) - 9 years ago

        All of the apps link, mention Apple watch… in the description. Many are similar to ‘Apple watch is here! We have wonderfully crafted our app to work perfectly with your new apple watch’ etc…

      • Michael Perry (@Alticus) - 9 years ago

        They don’t however have pictures of the Apple watch app interface which I’m guessing is reserved for the app store in the apple watch app.

  6. acslater017 - 9 years ago

    Dark Sky +  Watch = Back to the Future II

    • incredibilistic - 9 years ago

      “Doc, it’s pouring out!!”
      “Wait 5 seconds!”
      . . . . .
      “Right on the tick.”

    • o0smoothies0o - 9 years ago

      Maybe if weather were close to being predictable, but alas it’s not. Apple should do Weatherkit like they’re doing Researchkit, and allow people to sign up to give anonymous barometric pressure readings from the barometer in the iPhone 6, and 6 Plus. I thought Apple would do this, since they teamed with the weather channel.

      • gmann21133 - 9 years ago

        I think you have just hit upon a great idea. How much more accurate would a weather app be with crowd sourced information. I bet some savvy developers could make this happen.

  7. Mo Moosa (@_momoosa) - 9 years ago

    ECB Cricket too, for the English cricket fans out there.

  8. Michael Perry (@Alticus) - 9 years ago

    Is there anyway to view the Apple watch functionality of these apps using the simulator or anything like that?

    • AeronPeryton - 9 years ago

      Go to the Apple Store and pair your phone with a demo unit?

      • MaRico NoHands Spikes - 9 years ago

        doubt before launch you can walk up and sync the Apple Watch, I’m pretty sure Apple has methods of deterring people from doing that if they see them attempting to do so. Setting an appointment may be the only way to sync to an Apple store Apple Watch.

  9. AeronPeryton - 9 years ago

    NAVITIME’s transit apps in Japan are updated as well.

  10. 2Do (@2DoApp) - 9 years ago

    We’ve got 2Do ready too :)

    http://www.2doapp.com/watch-2do-in-action/

  11. Michael Perry (@Alticus) - 9 years ago

    Quick, someone smart come up with a way to trick the watch app into thinking a watch is paired!!!! To the Xcode cave, men!

  12. Alfred Reisner (@ARpfel) - 9 years ago

    Don´t forget Onefootball ;-)

  13. Henry Hien Ton - 9 years ago

    Here’s a Boggle like word Apple Watch Game app: https://youtu.be/zBObUGFaazU

  14. Tile (@TheTileApp) - 9 years ago

    The Tile App is pretty cool too – you can find your keys with it! http://www.thetileapp.com

Author

Avatar for Zac Hall Zac Hall

Zac covers Apple news, hosts the 9to5Mac Happy Hour podcast, and created SpaceExplored.com.