In addition to discussing the international Apple Watch launch and accessibility efforts at a briefing in Germany, Apple CEO Tim Cook teased “a whole ton of announcements coming shortly about all of the apps coming” for the Apple Watch, according to employees in attendance. Cook first highlighted the use of the Apple Watch in hotels by saying that “some of the best hotels in the world” will allow Apple Watch users to use the wearable to unlock room doors.
Additionally, Cook said that the Apple Watch hotel applications will even be able to replace the check-in processes for some hotels. “So people are beginning to think about doing not only cool things with their apps, but how it changes their whole business,” Cook said. As highlighted at the first Apple Watch event in September 2014, Starwood Hotels has already announced that it is working with Apple on an app for the Apple Watch…
Cook also expressed pride in the health and fitness applications being developed by third-parties for the Apple Watch. These programs will come in addition to the bundled Workout and Activity apps on the Watch, which allow users to custom program exercise routines and measure fitness statistics. Cook called these apps from third-party developers “really, really fantastic.” The Apple Watch includes motion and heart rate sensors that should allow developers to make powerful apps.
On the other end of the spectrum, Cook said that Panera Bread is working on a WatchKit application that will allow Apple Watch users to pay for their carbs with their wrist. Panera Bread was an early Apple Pay partner with the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus last fall, so it’s not a huge surprise that the company is working to jump on the Apple Watch bandwagon, too.
Finally, Cook hinted that Apple is working on getting the Apple Watch into the enterprise. He noted that Salesforce.com is developing software for the Apple Watch. Salesforce.com has been a longtime partner in the enterprise with Apple, developing early applications for both the iPhone and iPad. Apple recently partnered up with IBM for enterprise efforts, but Cook did not comment on Apple Watch applications from IBM. Some apps, such as Launch Center Pro, have already been announced.
With the Apple Watch not having a single major feature, third-party applications and customizability will be critical to the product’s success. Realizing this, Apple has invited over 100 application developers to Cupertino to finish up, design, and test apps for the Apple Watch. It is likely that Apple will utilize a significant portion of its March 9th “Spring Forward” event to showcase applications for the Apple Watch, which will ship in April.
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Damn you Tim Cook! I really told myself I want to hold out at least until the 2nd iteration of the Apple Watch before buying one but it’s really starting to entice me :(
I bought the 1st gen iPad and while I did end up keeping it for 4 years, it sucked not having the camera like iPad 2 and especially not being able to upgrade past iOS 5. Let’s hope that piece of history doesn’t repeat itself.
I’m having the same problem. I told myself that I mustn’t buy the first generation, but as I see it’s really going to be difficult to resist buying it :(
The solution is to buy the cheapest one (the Sport model), and see how it works in your lifestyle. Think of it as a kick ass fitness band, justify it that way. Then, if you decide over time that you can’t live without it, wait for the 2 or 3 and splurge on the sapphire steel model, keeping the 1st gen Sport one just as a fitness band.
This is my self-brainwashing and I’m sticking with it! :)
I save 1st gen as collectors items. No worries, it’s an investment right?! Haha…oh surely someday my unlocked 1st gen iPhone with original box and all internals will be worth like a trillion internet dollars.
Laugh, but my O.G. iPhone still works and serves duty as a beat-up but functional music UI for a docking station in a room.
That’s interesting. I’m having the exact opposite feeling.
Sounds great…although the mention of Panera as the headline partner makes me uncomfortable: My experience is that I’ve yet to use ApplePay at any Panera in the Chicago area without a hitch — be it “ApplePay is down right now” to “You have to cancel your order at this register and re-order from another if you want to use ApplePay.” My experience has been that Walgreens support of ApplePay is spotty as well–but of course, it beats how CVS suspended ApplePay acceptance. McDonald’s, Home Depot and Alberston’s Jewel Food Stores have done a awesome job with ApplePay acceptance.
Thats interesting that you have had spotty issues with ApplePay at Panera and Walgreens. I too live in Chicago and have found both of these places to work perfectly. I will say Jewel did a great job with it, although they need to advertise it more.
Interesting- I’ve paid at Panera with Apple Pay about 3 times in the Chicago-land area. I haven’t had a problem. I think I did have to re-do it once at a BP station once, though- I forget exactly why that happened. I’ve paid at Meijer probably 5 or 6 times, all without an issue.
Out of curiosity, do you tell them you’re doing Apple Pay? My experience has been that never helps as most employees don’t know anything about it. Usually just acting like you’re paying with a CC makes it go smoothly. Employees usually assume they have to do something special to accept it, which could mess things up.
Meijer and Petco have also worked consistently for me. I’m even fine with a one off situation where it’s down, but Panera and Walgreens seem to be–FOR ME–places where ApplePay more often than not has a hitch. Thanks for the suggestions. At Panera, I’ve tried it both ways. I find I get best results at Panera if I mention in advance. That way, they can move me to a register that has it or I can be prepared to use a credit card. A couple of days ago, I had an unusual situation where I left post of my credit cards at home and had to pay with ApplePay. So I went to the Panera across from Old Orchard because they had the ApplePay. They had me go to a different line for ApplePay. Then it wasn’t working there so they cancelled my order and had me go to another register. (“Sorry” and “Thank you” no longer exists in the clerks vocabulary.) Thanks again for the suggestions.
PetCo has been very hit or miss for me, Walgreens, HomeDepot, McDonalds and various vending machines have worked flawless since inception.
Sorry, I just meant that it’s weird that it is that inconsistent across the Panera chain. You would think they would work hard at making it the same at each register and each store.
I strongly recommend you to remove the credit card and re-enroll, configuration probably got messed up. This have happen to me the other day. The solution will resolve you issue successfully.
The credit cards work fine for me…In both Panera they tell me ApplePay is only at certain registers or that it is down at a register. When Apple Pay doesn’t work at Walgreen’s they tell me upfront that their reader isn’t taking it–wouldn’t work earlier in the day, etc. But as mentioned, Meijer, Petco, Jewel, HomeDepot, and McDonalds have been “100% success” with ApplePay.
Use the panera bread app to order. it also uses apple pay and works great. Walk into panera, sit at a table, launch the app and select your food (you can even customize each item) then pay with apple pay in the app. You don’t even need to talk to anyone. Its awesome, i do this all the time.
Heckuva thing, though, to place yer customized order and have the Watch battery go dead before you can figger a decent tip. /s :(
I love that Cook is letting little things leak. Good way to take the focus off MWC.
One week left, right? Well, I want to let you know that you can play with a cool online simulator in order to update your article with some great interactive resources. Take a ride. Cheers!
http://appsimulator.net/apple-watch-new-ways-to-connect.html
“With the Apple Watch not having a single major feature, third-party applications and customizability will be critical to the product’s success.”
Wow, talk about a completely inappropriate and out of nowhere stab at AppleWatch. Integration with iPhone is primarily what I want AppleWatch for, and that has nothing to do with third party apps.
i think you read a little bit of tone in there that was probably unintentional. i think it reads “with the apple watch not having a specific major feature…” which i don’t think is completely untrue.
Though what you are saying may be true Andrew, I agree with PMZanetti. I myself read it with an intentional tone. However, great articles would choose better wording as to limit the chances of it being read the wrong way. That’s not to say this article (or 9to5 Mac) aren’t great might I add
Nah, I think that comment is a fairly straightforward misrepresentation. Possibly the author didn’t mean it, but defending it is a bit silly.
One could easily argue that the major feature is “time.” Another obvious one is the taptastic thingie.
Also, the fact that it has features which also exist on the iPhone (“time”), doesn’t mean that these can’t also be considered major features on the Watch.
The Apple Watch has the killer-app of all killer-apps. Apple Pay and all the other secure ID tech for unlocking doors and entering passwords should make the watch just about essential. It’s had to understand how anyone could write that it “doesn’t have a major feature”.
I also thought it was a very odd dig at the Watch. No major features?
Yes, one major feature is the new peer-to-peer haptic tapping and doodling feature. Love birds will be all over this. It’s subtle communication without pinging or vibrations.
The fact that it Looks first generation is whats raising red flags for me. this is one space i don’t think Apple will be #1 in. their are too many great looking watches out there.
plus it isn’t waterproof and there isn’t a camera.
not liking this at all, hopefully they went back to the drawing board for the past 6months.
I really want to like it, but i can’t.
I’m sure we’ll discover by mid-April that millions upon millions of people respectfully disagree with you. It’s not for everybody though, particulalry those who don’t appreciate awesome, well-designed things.
A camera? Really?
You are a fool if you don’t believe that a camera, the radios, and the GPS will all eventually live inside the Watch.
Who cares how great looking some of these “smart” watches are if they’re not useful. Plus most of these round watches only look good when they’re showing an analog display. Might as well wear a traditional watch then. At least the battery will last longer.
I agree for the most part. While I love the idea of a round smartwatch, it isn’t practical. If the watch is meant to be a time keeping device first, and smart second, then round is fine. If it’s more for the smart features and time keeping is just a minor feature, then a rectangular like the Apple Watch is the correct form factor. Some of those recently shown round Android Wear watches are really pretty, with very realistic looking faces, but I can’t help feel the whole device becomes a skeumorphic caricature of a real smartwatch. I mean, at that point, I’ll just wear my amazing dumb Swiss watch.
What the heck do you want a bloody camera on it for?
As for the waterproof, is there something about the watch we don’t know yet because I don’t think Apple have said anything about it being waterproof beyond Tim wears it in the shower.
What exactly does that mean “Panera Bread is working on a WatchKit application that will allow Apple Watch users to pay for their carbs with their wrist.”
Perhaps I’m mistaken, but shouldn’t any location that allows Apple Pay/NFC payments be able to use the Apple Watch for payment? Do you need a Panera Apple Watch app to pay for a meal with your Apple Watch there? Same with grocery stores, pharmacies, etc?
Or is this more of a partner app, that reads your steps, workouts, and calories burned via the Apple Watch and won’t let you get the french baguette with your broccoli cheddar soup if you haven’t earned it?
My guess is it’s the panera bread club card. Apple pay already works at pb
I would guess that that means the watch will tell you when you’ve moved or worked out enough to burn off the food you bought at Panera. I think you will pay as normal with the apple watch but then the Panera watch app will keep track of when you burned off the food you bought.
Although the LG and Huawei circular display smart watches look nicer than the Apple Watch, we all know it’s going to be killer apps that make it a success. I just wish it had GPS and could work with Android, or not at all. We’re talking £1000 for an iPhone and Apple Watch (basic model). Or one could buy a Pebble or more recent smart watch and a Moto G together for under £300 and have a setup that does the same thing, just without as much bling.
As Apple has shown, however, they don’t give to sh*ts about the lower priced (and lower value in Apple’s eyes) competition. Apple’s train of thought is if they (the consumer) want something that is better in all aspects, then they should be willing to fork over more money than these “lower quality” ones
Indeed, I don’t disagree. I have a maxed out MacBook Pro 15″ Retina and despite trying to migrate to touch enabled Windows machines (physically excellent Lenovo Yoga specifically), the horrific nature of the Microsoft ecosystem, or lack of, forced me to give up and stick with Apple.
I have no problem with Apple’s “pay more for better quality” stance per se, the problem I have is that it isn’t actually true.
With Apple, you *do* pay more for more quality, but then you also pay FOUR TIMES the industry standard margin on top of that. In the time when Apple was struggling to stay afloat, this made sense to me and I was happy to pay the extra to keep them going. Now that they are the largest, richest company in the world and likely to dominate even more over time, it really sticks in the throat.
Their position on this undercuts everything they say about themselves being “for the people” and “just making good products” and so forth IMO. A large part of their success is actually down to simply charging a lot more for nothing, not design and engineering (as good as they are at both).
Hahahahahah.
I like that!
“Dear Apple, your watch should work with Android…or else!”
The most personal device, yet there is just one “choice” Apple Watch.
This poor selection and lack of diversity of watches is going to backfire at the their Closed Ecosystem.
Apple need to open Watch kit to other manufacturers or people will simple have another reason to go with Android.
You mean like all those Android OEM watches that look exactly the same now as they’re all in a race to make circular high end wannabes? Honestly if someone was wearing the new Huawei watch I wouldn’t be able to tell the difference between it and the new LG watch.
Boy, you have to go out of your Apple bubble. Jeeez
Oh bless, this argument about ‘opening up’ iOS has been going on for years and based on unit sales and customer satisfaction, it’s always been proven wrong.
Is not about opening up iOS. Is about allowing other Watches to integrate better with iOS.
How would you like to have just one option, one brand for Speakers, or Headphones, TV, etc?
Apple cant not and will not satisfy everyone needs on Watches.
“One choice”?
Huh? They are going to release 34 different models.
People always have a reason to choose something else, that’s the beauty of being an individual.
I dunno. Everything you say about the Apple Watch (on other threads too) just makes me think that you are an Android guy that really, really, lusts after it and is just all upset that he might have to “go Apple” to get one.
I would bet money that you end up getting a Watch and dropping Android as well. I’ve seen these signs before.
Apple iWatch
“With the Apple Watch not having a single major feature…”
I respectfully disagree. I think the ability to unlock hotel doors, pay with Apple Pay, connection to HomeKit compatible devices and the ability to control Apple TV are major features along with the requisite health tracking information.
I for one like the idea of placing my hand over the watch to mute an incoming call. That’s not all I like the Apple Watch for but I’m personally very excited for it. Just hope I have the funds and Apple has the stock for me to actually get one come next month.
“The Apple Watch includes motion and heart rate sensors that should allow developers to make powerful apps.”
FYI, the current version of WatchKit does not include access to these (what it does include is nicely done though). Hopefully these will come in the version they speculated about for later this year.
“With the Apple Watch not having a single major feature” is the key part of this story. Apps for this watch will do nothing the iPhone 6 can’t, and the fact that you need to have both with you in order for the watch to work makes it completely pointless in my mind (definitely for the price).
These all sound rather tepid to me. If they weren’t prefaced by the suggestion that we find them astoundingly interesting instead, it never would have crossed my mind.
Particularly the Panera bread one, which is even included in the headline it’s thought to be so important.
First, I haven’t got a clue what Panera bread even is, so I assume it’s some regional USA store, probably in California. In other words, at least three quarters of your readership wouldn’t even care about that. If it’s US wide instead, then only HALF your readers don’t care.
Secondly, if Panera Bread already uses Apple Pay, then a separate app on the watch just to let you pay for Panera purchases is both unnecessary and decidedly a BAD idea. It’s a duplication of features for no purpose.
All this just makes me wonder who Panera Bread has paid off for the praise.
I’m not sure if you’re trying to be funny or if you really clueless. Panera is a national chain, but if you weren’t aware of that, simply reading previous comments would tell you it is at least in the Chicagoland area since no less than four earlier replies specifically discuss Panera in that part of the country.
And for your information, Panera is based out of St. Louis.
Apple Watch looks like someone took a Seiko from 1985 and hit it with an ugly stick.