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iWatch to Run Third Party Apps; Apple Seeds SDK to Top Firms: Report

iWatch to Run Third-Party Apps; Apple Seeds SDK to Top Firms: Report

By Robin Sinha | Updated: 8 September 2014 15:40 IST

Fresh rumours about the anticipated iWatch wearable have surfaced online just a day before the Apple's September 9 event. Along with the wearable device, the Cupertino tech giant is also said expected to unveil its next generation smartphone, thought to be called the iPhone 6, at the event.

A new report by 9to5Mac quotes sources close to the matter to say the wearable device by Apple might run third-party applications and also give users access to the App Store. However, the report says it's not yet been confirmed whether the smartwatch would have access to specialised iWatch version of App Store, or have access to the whole list of applications like iPhone and iPad devices.

Further, the report corroborates previous reports that indicated the wearable would after announcement this year only arrive next year, giving developers enough time to work on the wearable's apps with the Apple SDK (Software Development Kit), which will include support for Extensions, Healthkit, and Homekit APIs.

The report adds that select "high profile social network and services companies" have already received the new version of the SDK under a non-disclosure agreement to be able to demonstrate their apps on the iWatch on Tuesday's keynote event. Facebook is speculated to be one of the developers which has received the pre-release SDK version. The social networking giant is also said to be finishing up with the iOS 8 version of its iPhone app, along with a new improved notification system. The company is supposedly also experimenting with ways it can use the new Notification Center.

Apple is also expected to include NFC for mobile payments and other sensors including pulse readers and motion detectors in the iWatch. Patents published in July also suggested the inclusion of gesture support. Apple has not confirmed any of the above mentioned features. However, the wait is now almost over as the firm will in all probability unveil the product by Tuesday.

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