Workflow for iOS was initially released back in December with a plethora of capabilities thanks to iOS 8. Now, the app has been updated to version 1.2 with support for Apple Watch. Workflow, similar to Automator on OS X, allows users to create more than 200 automated actions with a mix and match interface on the iPad and iPhone. With Apple Watch, users will be able to view and download workflows designed for Apple Watch instantly from their wrist.
From Apple Watch, workflows can send e-mails, read articles, request an Uber, record audio, create reminders, get directions home, tweet a photo, and a lot more. To access the Workflow Gallery for actions designed for Apple Watch, users can simply swipe to the left. From there, they can download those specialized workflows instantly.
It’s also important to note that any workflows you’ve created on your iPhone will automatically appear on your Apple Watch. Any workflow created on the iPhone and iPad is entirely compatible with Apple Watch, as well, with the only exception being when the action requires the opening of other apps. Workflow 1.2 also allows you to use Handoff to transfer information from your Watch to your iPhone. Those that can’t be run on Apple Watch can seamlessly be continued on your iPhone.
To celebrate the release of Workflow 1.2 with support for Apple Watch, the app is 40% off its normal list price of $4.99 in the App Store. You can download it now and be prepared for when your Apple Watch arrives.
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This seems like a bad idea to me. It’s basically an attempt to replace the entire UI of the Watch with a script driven thingamabob. Ungainly at best IMO.
I disagree completely. Workflow is already an incredible app, and this is one of the most compelling applications to be announced for the Watch so far. The idea of being able to quickly launch complex actions from the Watch is extremely interesting. This isn’t an attempt to “replace the UI,” it’s simply bringing a crap-ton of functionality to the Watch.
@DocWallaby says, “… bringing a crap-ton of functionality…”
…which is perhaps @GazooBee’s concern as much as the 1980’s UI is.
I’m not a dev myself but have swapped tweets & emails with a couple; the Watch is a really new platform and needs a really new UX to shine. If *I* were Apple, I’d be a bit concerned about the platform looking clunky by an app that brings out so little of the best, while highlighting its inappropriateness for what *IS* done.
Not that the tasks mightn’t be useful for users. But for about 15 years now, as customers have had the opportunity to build AppleScripts visually/easily but have opted not to, Apple has been challenged to come up with NEW ways of accomplishing these functions. The best part of kinda kludgy solutions such as this is that they show where real work needs to get done.
It’s not replacing the entire Watch UI, it simply allows you to quickly execute Workflow scripts without taking out your phone. The button colors are designed like the iOS app.
Reblogged this on A Crazy Random Jumble of Blog and commented:
Well, hot diggity! This is a great development. I haven’t had much need for Workflow on my phone (although it’s a great app), but I think the Apple Watch is the perfect platform for this app because you actually benefit from the speed with which you can launch and execute workflows.
The future of Watch is a very powerful, clever and fast Siri implementation for virtually everything.
I’m not familiar with Workflow but it seems similar to Launch Center. Are they pretty comparable?