The New York Times (NYT) recently reported that among the top 20 iPhone apps, 15 are not available as an Apple Watch app, suggesting that developers including Facebook and Snapchat are uncertain that the wearable will eventually put up big-time sales figures. However, some industry experts believe that the issue is related to the smartwatch platform and its tiny screen, rather than investor confidence.
The NYT article describes it as a chicken and egg situation. More apps are needed to sell more units, yet developers are not rushing to make them for a product with mediocre sales.
There are about 3,000 Watch apps. One reason for the low count is that the apps are just small versions of ones available for iOS devices.
In particular, a key issue could be how well the smartphone apps run on an iPhone touchscreen rather than the Watch screen. Size matters.
One key example mentioned in the NYT article was Facebook lacking a Watch app. Ironically the social network giant was mentioned at an media event for the gadget.
Adam Mosseri, Facebook's newsfeed manager, noted that it would be very challenging to get Facebook on the Watch screen, considering the news, updates, and images that would be streamed onto the super small display. Users might end up using their smartphones instead.
The compatibility issue will likely improve this fall when the Apple wearable gets a standalone WatchOS 2, according to Venture Beat. It will also get its own Top 20 apps.
Comparing the Top 20 apps for the Watch and iPhone will still be apples and oranges. Some gadget users will prefer those for the former device, and others for the latter.
However, the bottom line might be an issue of pragmatism, not preference. While Facebook Messenger would arguably be a good application for the Apple Watch, the main Facebook app would literally be a better fit for a smartphone than a smartwatch, according to ZDNet.
Apple Inc. will announce its quarterly earnings on Tuesday. Tech analysts believe that the company will release some sales figures, and conventional wisdom is that it has sold between 3 and 5 million Watches since being released in April.