Apple has revealed new details on how companies can build third-party bands for the new Apple Watch, according to a TechCrunch article by Darrell Etherington. The process is now explained in a posting on the device’s Developer website.
The most important details are probably those relating to technical specifications. Always keen to protect the integrity of the closed ecosystem of its devices and software, Apple has generally held very high technical standards for third-party developers, and the case of Apple Watch bands is no different. The newly-released specifications focus mostly on how third-party developers can build their own lugs (the connecting points between the Apple Watch case and its band) or request Apple-provided lugs. According to the article, the lug components, whether custom-built or provided by Apple, must use an extremely limited specific-use, non-transferable license.
Despite whatever difficulties such high standards may entail, it’s a fair bet that a number of third-party developers will want to get in on this. The Apple Watch seems to be doing well in its initial sales and is generating quite a bit of excitement on social media. If buzz around the device continues to build, associated products and accessories could find a valuable and growing market among Apple Watch users.
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