Apple Watch Getting Too Few New Apps: Why Are Developers Ignoring WatchOS?

According to mobile database Realm, actively used by some 100,000 app developers, the Apple Watch has suffered a dive in interest following a brief burst of excitement at launch with many now bracketing the gizmo as a mere companion piece to the iPhone. The mobile database also houses apps that are now being used by 1 billion users. He claims that for every 1,000 apps released for the iOS, there are 10 apps for the new Apple TV and its tvOS, and maybe one app for the Apple Watch and the watchOS.

“On a weekly basis we’re seeing very few Watch apps, compared to iOS apps”, Anglade said.

And yet, the Apple Watch is still doing well in terms of sales, as Q1 statistics have shown that it managed to become the top smartwatch on the market with no less than 1.5 million sold units.

Today Apple has quietly updated its tvOS App Store algorithm to hide applications you already have installed from the charts (Top Free, Top Paid, Top Grossing), which means the App Store on experience will be different for each individual Apple TV owner.

According to the report, developers are more interested in smartwatches that are capable of running apps independently without being tethered to a smartphone. He’s hearing that connectivity and access to sensors will be solved in the next version of Watch. The web site also indicated that the September release date may also be more in line with Apple’s slower development approach to relatively newer products, though without any official announcement, this possibility also remains unconfirmed.

“tvOS is a brand new platform so there’s a gold rush for it”, Anglade says. Currently, the Apple Watch can only run apps while paired with the iPhone, which hinders a lot of the functionality that apps on the wearable device can provide.