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WatchKit

Summary

WatchKit is a framework provided by Apple to develop applications for the Apple Watch. The WatchKit framework is designed for the Swift programming language and also the Objective-C programming language and must be compiled in Xcode, similar to iOS applications.[1]

History edit

WatchKit was first released in 2014, one year before the release of the Apple Watch.[2] It was bundled in with the iOS 8.2 beta SDK.[3] In 2015, Apple set up WatchKit labs in several different cities to allow for in-person development of Apple Watch applications before the product's official launch.[4]

Functionality edit

WatchKit provides classes allows for development of applications on the Apple Watch. WatchKit also enables iOS applications to send notifications and "Glances," which are persistent notifications that are created using predefined templates made by Apple.[5] The framework is designed to be used with either Swift or Objective-C, and must be compiled in Xcode. While it is designed for the Apple Watch, the watch itself only renders the user interface, an iPhone linked with the watch renders everything else. It also allows for Handoff support with the linked iPhone.[6]

Classes edit

WatchKit provides some classes for general purposes, as representing controllers, interfaces, and alert actions.[7]

  • WKAccessibilityImageRegion
  • WKAlertAction
  • WKExtension
  • WKImage
  • WKInterfaceController
  • WKUserNotificationInterfaceController
  • WKInterfaceDevice
  • WKPickerItem

Also provides support for file management, through the following classes:

  • WKAudioFileAsset
  • WKAudioFilePlayer
  • WKAudioFileQueuePlayer
  • WKAudioFilePlayerItem

And a set of classes that inherit from WKInterfaceObject and represents visual UI elements.

  • WKInterfaceButton
  • WKInterfaceDate
  • WKInterfaceGroup
  • WKInterfaceImage
  • WKInterfaceLabel
  • WKInterfaceMap
  • WKInterfaceMovie
  • WKInterfacePicker
  • WKInterfaceSeparator
  • WKInterfaceSlider
  • WKInterfaceSwitch
  • WKInterfaceTable
  • WKInterfaceTimer

Protocols edit

WatchKit provides two protocols: WKExtensionDelegate and WKImageAnimatable. WKExtensionDelegate is intended to manage the behavior of the WatchKit extension and WKImageAnimatable controls the playback of animated images.

References edit

  1. ^ Azarpour, Soheil (2015-02-24). "WatchKit FAQ". kodeco.com. Retrieved 2024-02-13.
  2. ^ Cunningham, Andrew (2014-11-18). "Apple releases WatchKit developer tools alongside first iOS 8.2 beta". Ars Technica. Retrieved 2024-02-13.
  3. ^ Kingsley-Hughes, Adrian (2014-11-18). "Apple makes WatchKit software tools available to developers". ZDNET. Retrieved 2024-02-13.
  4. ^ Warren, Tom (2015-03-11). "Apple's taping over developer iPhone cameras in secret watch labs". The Verge. Retrieved 2024-02-13.
  5. ^ Mayo, Benjamin (2014-11-18). "Apple WatchKit third-party apps require a connected iPhone to function, 'fully native' apps coming later in 2015". 9to5Mac.
  6. ^ Bonnington, Christina. "With New Dev Kit, Apple Gives Us a Glimpse of How Its Watch Will Work". Wired. ISSN 1059-1028. Retrieved 2024-02-13.
  7. ^ Manning, Jon; Buttfield-Addison, Paris (2016-05-30). Swift Development for the Apple Watch: An Intro to the WatchKit Framework, Glances, and Notifications. "O'Reilly Media, Inc.". ISBN 978-1-4919-2529-4.