Apple Watch may support third-party faces, watchOS code reveals
A line of code discovered in Apple's latest watchOS beta release hints at future support for third-party faces - a feature users have wished for since the launch of Apple Watch back in 2015. The 9to5Mac team has found a log message in watchOS 4.3.1's NanoTimeKit that says, "This is where the 3rd party face config bundle generation would happen." Here's more.
This third-party UI integration will be a first for Apple
The third-party integration for Watch faces would be a first for Apple. Until now, the tech giant has followed stringent guidelines in order to keep user-interface features away from developers and maintain a consistent, secure and bug-free user experience. However, consumers would finally enjoy more customizations on their Apple Watches should the Cupertino-based company decides to open its gates for developers.
Apple may introduce this feature at WWDC
Currently, the toolkit is inactive and third party app makers cannot tap into its framework. However, its inclusion in the latest watchOS suggests Apple is working to open this feature of NanoToolKit to third party developers. Notably, Apple might bring this watch face customization toolkit in a future version of watchOS which may get announced at WWDC 2018 in June.
