Apple Watch Series 5 Software Features: Should Apple Enable Third-Party Faces?

Apple Watch has been here for years now, having been released in 2015. The operating system powering it, watchOS, has also been updated several times to add more and more features. But despite all the updates, one thing seems to be missing: third-party watch faces. Should Apple allow third-party developers to create watch faces for the Apple Watch?

Apple is set to release the new Apple Watch Series 5 this month. The new Series 5 models all come with watchOS 6, the latest version of the Apple Watch operating system. Set to be released Sept. 19, watchOS 6 is set to bring a slew of features designed to make the Apple Watch the best that it can be as of yet.

Some of the new features are designed to help wearers achieve a better quality of life. The new Noise app, for example, monitors volume levels around the user and informs him if the noise is too much. A new Cycle Tracking app, on the other hand, helps female users monitor their monthly menstruation cycle and fertile periods.

Apple’s Kevin Lynch, speaking during this year’s WWDC, said the Cupertino tech giant is excited to make the Apple Watch more appealing to its users.

"We're thrilled at how Watch is making such a difference in so many people's lives," Lynch said last WWDC, as per Apple Insider. "And this is driving us to make Watch even more powerful and more personal for you."

“Personal”

Despite Lynch’s use of the word “personal,” one feature that would allow users to “personalize” their Apple Watches would be the use of third-party watch faces. Other devices like smartphones, laptops and tablets allow users to customize how the home screen looks like. The Apple Watch allows users to do that too, but the options are limited to the number of watch faces any watchOS version has.

Lynch, during WWDC, spoke at length about watchOS 6’s new watch faces. He didn’t, however, say that Apple will allow third-party developers to create watch faces for the device. Why is that?

For one, watch face complications need data, which can only be acquired using sensors. The more data is needed, the more sensors need to be used. The more sensors are used, the more battery life the Apple Watch will need. Apple will need to consider the impact any feature has on the Apple Watch’s battery life.

Nevertheless, Apple should probably allow third-party developers to create watch faces for the Apple Watch. Users will be the ones responsible for allowing a third-party watch face to drain the battery life on the Apple Watch anyway, Apple Insider noted.