Screenshots expose 'Activity' Apple Watch app hidden in iOS 8.2
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.
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.
Comments
Duh. iBooks, maps, newsstand, music, mail, Safari, etc. just move to a different screen.
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!
So you’re a masochist?
Yup. And if they do jump to an Android phone - be prepared to root it! The carriers control the phones and apps bundled from the OS maker will be the least of their worries.
And if you are going to root an Android phone to remove the carrier installed crap, just jailbreak your iPhone where you can just as easily remove the Apple provided stuff too.
Doesn't that app only appear when you have ?Watch tethered?
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.
these stock apps are akin to to settings panes in OS X or Windows -- and you can't remove those. does anyone say:
"Ugh, Apple is taking up more space on my Mac with settings panes I'll never use. I wish this were an optional download from the app store, while Print & Scan looks cool, I have no intention of buying one in the near future."
It does seem odd that the Apple Watch App is an app at all, don't you think? The Nike Fitness App pops up when you have a Fuel band configured to it. Otherwise, it's "hidden". Why can't the Watch App be something hidden in Settings until you actually try to pair a watch to the phone?
With the Activity App. Why not just allow iPhone Users to use the plethora of sensors on the iPhone to use the app? You know why? They want you to buy the watch. Duh. But it would be nice for people who don't necessarily want to buy the watch to use the Activity App just on the phone.
I don't understand why people just don't put them into a separate folder titled "Apple" or "?".
I don't understand why people just don't put them into a separate folder titled "Apple" or "?".
Why not let people delete these Apple apps rather than have a separate location to keep them?
So Apple should let you delete Finder, Safari, Terminal, Disk Utility and all those other Mac apps, too?
The watch App is listed in the iOS update details. No disguise.
Ignorance isn't a viable reason for outrage.