Apple wants the third-party app marketplace for the upcoming Apple Watch to be a hit just like on the iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Apple has begun seeking an “Apple Watch Evangelist,” according to a posting on its official jobs website. This evangelist position is specifically designed to work with third-party application developers and promote development for the upcoming Apple Watch platform:
As a member of Apple’s Technology Evangelism team you’ll work closely with 3rd party developers to help them build platform differentiating, next generation apps for iOS, with a primary focus on Apple Watch apps. You’ll use your app development know-how and experience to communicate app architecture, design, and programming best-practices. You’ll work closely with Apple’s engineering and marketing organizations on new technologies and frameworks, and enhancements to existing ones. You’ll help to define technical sessions for Apple’s annual Worldwide Developer Conference as well as seasonal Tech Talks and other developer facing workshops and events.
The Apple Watch will integrate with existing iPhone App Store applications for notifications, and fully-optimized applications will be able to be developed via the upcoming WatchKit platform. Apple said last month that WatchKit will become available for application developers in November. Sources say that Apple has already provided the WatchKit SDK to companies like Facebook, Twitter, and Path.
Here are the Apple Watch Evangelist’s responsibilities, according to the job listing:
- Technical liaison between Apple and 3rd party developers for vital app development frameworks, focused on UIKit, Watch Kit, and additional Cocoa Touch frameworks as needed.
- Help 3rd party iOS developers adopt and understand key app development frameworks, techniques, and best practices.
- Help 3rd party developers “cross the finish line” and get last minute technical issues resolved or escalated within Apple and prepare for special events and new products.
- Identify and report technology adoption progress, trends, and issues faced by 3rd party iOS developers.
- Work closely with Apple engineering teams to deliver and enhance APIs to make 3rd party iOS developers successful.
- Oversee the creation and delivery of technical videos, sample code, and sessions at Apple’s annual Worldwide Developer Conference, iOS Tech Talks. and other developer events.
- Guide 3rd party developers in the analysis of their app’s code quality, technology usage, design, and performance.
The Apple Watch will launch in the early 2015/spring 2015 timeframe, according to Apple retail chief Angela Ahrendts.
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Interesting.
Looks like Apple is ramping up the ecosystem for their Watch. Will be interesting to Watch how this “new” category develops.
Apple certainly needs to hire someone creative with out of the box ideas to build their smartwatch app eco-system quickly. Although they are forerunners in the smartphone market space, they need to make sure they are ready to compete with the players who have a head start in the smartwatch industry like Galaxy Gear S and Moto 360.
Pretty interesting how Apple are taking a slightly different tact vs the iPhone.