Apple has blended the connection people have with technology by its amazing wearable device – iWatch. Apple watch is designed to be both functional as well as fashionable. With such inventions, the enterprises are able to provide new experiences to the customers directly on their wrist. Apple iWatch app development elements make it one of the amazing wearable devices till now.
Apple iWatch
It is an extension of the iPhone application and it runs on the iPhone, but the UI displays on the watch. There is no stand-alone application for iWatch as it needs the support of an iPhone to work. The iPhone needs to be paired with the iWatch in order to make it work like any other smart device.
Requirements for running an Apple watch application
- iPhone
An iPhone is required to run an Apple watch application. - Apple Watch
An Apple watch is required to pair it to an iPhone. - An Apple Watch Application
An application on the watch is required that can be seen by the user. - A WatchKit Extension
This is the executable section of a Watch app and this includes the model and the controller as well. - A WatchKit
A WatchKit extension in the iPhone and WatchKit UI is required to communicate through the WatchKit. The application receives all the user interactions like tap, switch, etc. and then it sends all the received interactions to the WatchKit extension through the WatchKit. The extension is the one that performs all the actions that are required in response to the interactions. - A Bluetooth Connection
A Bluetooth connection is used to create a communication between the watch and the iPhone.
An Innovative Interaction
An innovation in every interaction can be seen in the Apple watch. The interaction with the watch is as easy and intuitive as an iPhone.
Apple has invented all the new ways to select, navigate and input the data. All the interactions are perfectly suited for a small device like a watch on the wrist. The output is unique and also provides a great user experience.
WatchKit Navigational Styles
WatchKit apps provide two methods of navigation.
- Hierarchical navigation
This is similar to the navigation style in iOS. This style is best suited for the apps with hierarchical information. This type of app requires the users to navigate by making one choice on every page until the destination is reached. This is a better navigational style as compared to the paginated navigation style. - Page-based navigation
This type of navigation lets the users navigate between pages horizontally. It is best suited for the apps with simple data models. The data on one page is not directly tied to the data on another page.
The hierarchical and page-based navigation styles cannot be combined into one style. The developer should choose the best style according to the app being created.
App development elements
Here are the different Apple iWatch app development elements available:
- Images
The image object displays one image or a sequence of images. This object has no appearance of its own. It does not support user interactivity, but it does provide programmatic controls in order to start and stop the animation.
- Groups
This is an important UI element for laying out the content on the interface. The groups act as containers for other objects.
Group objects can layout items vertically or horizontally and it can contain one or more interface elements. The groups can display an image or a solid color as the background of the page.
- Labels
A label is used to display a static text. It does not allow direct user interaction and cannot be uploaded programmatically.
The label element is used to display short messages on the screen for the user.
- Buttons
A button element is used to perform an app-specific action. It has a background that can also be customized according to the needs.The button has rounded corners in order to distinguish it from other elements on the page. It can also contain a label or a group element.It is important to create buttons that span the width of the screen and the height of the buttons can also be matched.
- Sliders
A slider is used to make adjustments to a value from a range of discrete values. The user can change the values by tapping on it.
The slider consists of a horizontal track with images at both the ends for changing the slider value. It is always used to increment or decrement the value from a specific value.
- Tables
A table is used to display a single row with columns. This element is used when the content display has to change to some other content. A table object is scrollable and can also have a background image or a solid color as well. The row types need to be used consistently and the developer should avoid mixing the rows with different types of content.
Juned Ahmed is a founder & currently consultant in mobile strategy of IndianAppDevelopers company leading among top mobile app development companies based in India, He also share his experience and knowledge about latest mobile technologies on various blogs.