Apple Helping Developers Finalize Apple Watch Apps at Cupertino Headquarters

Todoist Apple WatchApple has invited third-party developers to its headquarters in Cupertino, California to allow them to test and finalize apps for the Apple Watch, according to 9to5Mac. The report claims that developers have been arriving at One Infinite Loop this month to work with Apple engineers on finishing WatchKit-based apps in categories such as sports, productivity and finance.

"The developers invited by Apple to Cupertino range from those behind titles for sports applications and productivity software. Apple has also been meeting with banks to work on WatchKit applications that assist with the Apple Watch’s Apple Pay functionality. Besides U.S.-based banks, Apple has been working on WatchKit apps with developers from Germany-based banks, which indicates Apple is likely in talks with more foreign banks to expand Apple Pay to more countries across the world."

MacRumors reported a few weeks ago that some developers have been asked to have Apple Watch apps readied by this month, although this report claims that Apple seems to be operating on a more urgent timeline, possibly in order to ensure that some apps are finalized for an upcoming marketing initiative or media event. In the meantime, Apple has reportedly been holding workshops to train retail employees about the Apple Watch in Los Angeles, Cupertino, Austin and Atlanta.

Apple CEO Tim Cook confirmed the Apple Watch will launch in April.

Related Roundup: Apple Watch 10
Buyer's Guide: Apple Watch (Neutral)

Popular Stories

iPhone 17 Pro Render Front Page Tech

iPhone 17 Pro Launching Later This Year With These 10 New Features

Sunday March 23, 2025 10:00 am PDT by
While the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are not expected to launch until September, there are already plenty of rumors about the devices. iPhone 17 Pro's alleged design via Front Page Tech Below, we recap key changes rumored for the iPhone 17 Pro models as of March 2025: Aluminum frame: iPhone 17 Pro models are rumored to have an aluminum frame, whereas the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone...
iCloud General Feature Redux

iPhone Users Who Pay for iCloud Storage Receive a New Perk

Thursday March 20, 2025 12:01 am PDT by
If you pay for iCloud storage on your iPhone, Apple has a new perk for you, at no additional cost. The new perk is the ability to create invitations in the Apple Invites app for the iPhone, which launched in the App Store last month. In the Apple Invites app, iCloud+ subscribers can create invitations for any occasion, such as birthday parties, graduations, baby showers, and more. Anyone ...
Generic iOS 19 Feature Mock

iOS 19 Coming in June With These New Features

Thursday March 20, 2025 2:04 pm PDT by
While the first iOS 19 beta is still more than two months away, there are already plenty of rumors about the upcoming software update. Below, we recap the key iOS 19 rumors so far. visionOS-Like Design In January, the YouTube channel Front Page Tech revealed a redesigned Camera app that is allegedly planned for iOS 19. According to Front Page Tech host Jon Prosser, the Camera app...
iOS 18

Top 5 New Features Coming in iOS 18.4

Friday March 21, 2025 3:26 pm PDT by
We're not getting new Siri Apple Intelligence features in iOS 18.4 as expected, but the upcoming update does have quite a few new additions that will be worth upgrading for. We've rounded up the five best features to look forward to, and if you're not running the beta, you can expect to get access to these in early April. Priority Notifications If you have an iPhone or iPad that supports...
Generic iOS 18

Apple Seeds iOS 18.4 and iPadOS 18.4 Release Candidate With Priority Notifications, Ambient Music and More

Monday March 24, 2025 10:07 am PDT by
Apple today seeded the release candidate versions of upcoming iOS 18.4 and iPadOS 18.4 updates to developers for testing purposes, with the software coming a week after Apple released the fourth betas. iOS 18.4 and iPadOS 18.4 can be downloaded from the Settings app on a compatible device by going to General > Software Update. With iOS 18.4, Apple is adding the Priority Notifications...
airpods max 2024 colors

Don't Buy Into Apple's Hype About AirPods Max Gaining Lossless Audio

Monday March 24, 2025 4:24 pm PDT by
Apple today announced that AirPods Max with a USB-C port will be gaining support for lossless audio and ultra-low latency audio with a firmware update next month, alongside the release of iOS 18.4, iPadOS 18.4, and macOS 15.4. For context, audio files are typically compressed to keep file sizes smaller. There are lossy compression standards like MP3, and Apple's own Advanced Audio Codec...
Foldable iPhone 2023 Feature Iridescent Search

Foldable iPhone Expected to Launch Next Year, Costing Around $2,000

Monday March 24, 2025 3:43 am PDT by
Apple will launch its long-rumored foldable iPhone next year with a ~$2,000 premium price tag attached, expects well-connected Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman. Gurman's comments on Apple's launch plans for its first foldable device appeared in the Q&A section of his latest Power On newsletter. Earlier this month, the reporter said Apple's foldable iPhone could be arriving "as early as 2026,"...

Top Rated Comments

dwsolberg Avatar
132 months ago
I can see Tim Cook's influence of have a very organized way of doing things. They're asking for apps ahead of time so they can test the Apple watch and ensure that it works with developers' apps. In addition, they're getting good feedback for additions to the SDK.

I also see now what's happening with the iOS releases. iOS 7 was a visual revamp. iOS 8 was a feature revamp. iOS 9 is a stability revamp. It's a nice progression. Apple has a nice UI and a feature set that more or less doesn't have any major gaps. Now they are going to polish everything.
Score: 26 Votes (Like | Disagree)
IJ Reilly Avatar
132 months ago
I wouldn't be caught dead wearing a "sky blue" band on my watch!
You will be drugged, bound, and forced to wear one. Crowds of strangers will be brought in to point at you and laugh.

You can wake up now.
Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)
s1m Avatar
132 months ago
Seems like Apple are wanting to manage this release more closely than others such as the iPad. I thnk that they recognise the risk this product faces - if it doesn't get off to a flying start with smooth operating and battery efficient apps there is the risk that the product will be tarnished. Looks like a sensible significant amount of investment going into this.

I. Can't. Wait. even though I have to.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
filmantopia Avatar
132 months ago
I wouldn't be caught dead wearing a "sky blue" band on my watch!

Oh are we expressing random opinions? I hate cashews!
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
GalaxyGuardian Avatar
132 months ago
I see the event invitation title in front of me! "Be on time." :D
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
bmunge Avatar
132 months ago
Fast forward a year or so and you'll see the few early adopter Apple watches languishing in dresser drawers.

You must be new to Apple products. Fast forward a year and you'll see the first gen going for 200-250 on eBay while the early adopters upgrade to gen 2.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)