Roger Fingas
Hidden within the newly released iOS 8.2 update for iPhone, the official "Activity" iPhone app for the Apple Watch has been discovered, with new screenshots showcasing how the software will look when a Watch is paired.
The Activity software was unlocked by iOS developer Hamza Sood, who posted screenshots of the app to his Twitter account. The main section appears to be the History tab, which displays the familiar Move, Stand, and Exercise rings seen in demonstrations of the Apple Watch. Going beyond what's possible on that device though, the iPhone app lets users see activity for a specific day, month, or year.
A second tab, Achievements, hints at a set of Xbox-style awards for hitting fitness milestones. The requirements for the awards aren't listed, but there are least 15 of them.
The Activity app is dedicated solely to syncing Watch fitness data. It can't be used with another fitness tracker, and in fact another screenshot from Sood reveals that it requires people to configure the Watch version of the app first.
Some controversy emerged this week when iPhone owners discovered that iOS 8.2 automatically installs the Apple Watch companion app and won't let them delete it, regardless of whether they actually have a Watch. The company is also removing rival fitness trackers from its stores, and both factors have led to complaints that Apple is trying to "push" the Watch on iPhone owners.
Malcolm Owen
Amber Neely
Christine McKee
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Marko Zivkovic
21 Comments
Apple is trying to "push" the Watch on iPhone owners. Duh. iBooks, maps, newsstand, music, mail, Safari, etc. just move to a different screen.
Ugh, Apple is taking up more space on my iPhone with apps I'll never use. I wish this were an optional download from the app store, while the Apple Watch looks cool, I have no intention of buying one in the near future.
I don't like the icon either. (Until I tossed it into my Other folder along with other things I rarely--or never--need. Soul-wrenching crisis averted!) But Apple would be INSANE not to pre-install this reminder of the Watch product. Like it or not, I'm afraid the benefit vs. harm falls in that direction. They made the intelligent decision. For every one person who thinks yet-another-icon is the straw that broke the camel's back and pretends they'll jump to an Android AbandonWare%u2122 Phone over it... there are 100 other people who will actually buy an Apple Watch!
Sounds like WankBand from youtube comic advertisment ;)
I agree with dsr1122. I move those icons to page of the phone I never use.