WASHINGTON: The Apple Watch won’t be available to the public until April 24 but it will be available on pre-orders from April 10, but there are already a good handful of apps for it. During my review period, I’ve accumulated 50 apps on my Apple Watch: some pre-loaded, others downloaded via the App Store to my iPhone and cross-installed. According to Apple, there are already around 90 or so apps available worldwide, with more coming very soon.
Software companies are already rolling out app updates that include Apple Watch support. Apple iOS 8.2 adds the Apple Watch app to your iPhone, from which you’ll download and organize the apps that show up on your watch, as well as customize notifications. But which services will translate best to its small display? Here are a few we look forward to playing around with at launch, as well as a few more coming to the device listed below.
Yes, it could be rather labor-intensive to scroll through your feed on a small screen, but most of us consume Twitter in small bites anyway. You can set it up to get alerts about tweets (via Apple’s “tap” alerts) and stay up to date on trending topics without pulling out your phone every few minutes. Twitter on Apple Watch
Dark Sky
For the best in super-specific weather reports, Dark Sky is your app. And hopefully it’s more useful on Apple Watch than Siri is on iPhone.
MLB.com At Bat and ESPN
I’m not exactly what you would call a sports fan, but I can see the Apple Watch as being a discreet way of keeping tabs on your favorite teams.
Runtastic
I am also not a runner, but many people enjoy this curious activity. With apps like Runtastic (or Nike+ Running), you too can be like Christy Turlington and track your progress while navigating serene locales (or your gym’s treadmill).
Uber
Need a ride? Use your watch to call an Uber and track the driver’s progress. If that’s too pricey, though, Apple bills Citymapper as “your guide to public transit.”
Shazam
Shazam is a nifty way to identify a song, though the company has branched out into TV programming, too. Target on Apple WatchThe downside is that you need to find your phone and open the app before a song or commercial finishes in order to get a response. Shazam on your wrist, however, will help you more swiftly name that tune.
Honeywell Lyric
You know what’s more fun than controlling your home’s temperature from a smartphone? Controlling it from a smartwatch. Or so I would imagine. On Apple Watch, you can control the Lyric smart thermostat’s temperature, set geo-fencing controls, or get warnings about extreme temperatures. You can also control lights via Lutron.
Mint Personal Finance
If you’re buying an Apple Watch, you probably have some expendable income. With Mint, though, you can make sure this and other purchases won’t break the bank, and get alerts about your progress (or damage).
Target
I’m intrigued largely because Apple said the app can help you find an item’s exact location in a store. Helpful, but probably not good for my wallet.
Check out the next page for a list of some of the other apps coming to Apple Watch. We’ll update as they are announced or released.
