Instagram is the latest company to pull its app from the Apple Watch. The company has killed off the app in their latest iPhone app update. Although whilst the app has been killed off, there is no mention of this in the release notes.
The Instagram app was one of the first social network apps that launched on the Apple Watch, although the company had not developed the app fully with all of the recent updates to Apple’s watchOS. Initially, the app allowed users to view their Instagram feed, like photos, and even leave comments directly from their wrist. However, as watchOS evolved, Instagram did not keep pace with the new features and capabilities offered by the platform.
Other Companies Pulling Apps from Apple Watch
Instagram is not alone in this move; the company joins other major players like eBay, Amazon, Google Maps, and others who have pulled their apps from Apple’s watchOS platform. This trend raises questions about the viability and future of third-party apps on the Apple Watch. Many of these companies have cited various reasons for their decisions, ranging from low user engagement to the technical challenges of maintaining a separate app for the watchOS ecosystem.
For instance, Google Maps was removed from the Apple Watch in 2017, only to return later with a more streamlined and focused experience. Similarly, Amazon and eBay have also pulled their apps, focusing instead on optimizing their mobile and web experiences. These moves suggest that while the Apple Watch is a popular device, it may not be the ideal platform for all types of apps.
Apple’s New Requirements for watchOS
Apple recently released a new requirement for watchOS updates, mandating that all apps must be native. This new rule is coming into force this week and could be a significant factor in Instagram’s decision to pull its app from the Apple Watch. Native apps are designed to run directly on the Apple Watch, offering better performance and more features compared to apps that rely on a paired iPhone.
The requirement for native apps aims to improve the overall user experience on the Apple Watch, making apps faster and more reliable. However, developing native apps can be resource-intensive, and not all companies may find it worthwhile to invest in this effort, especially if user engagement on the platform is low.
As yet, there are no details on whether the Instagram app will return to Apple’s watchOS platform in the future. Given the current trend, it seems unlikely unless there is a significant shift in user demand or technological advancements that make it easier for companies to develop and maintain watchOS apps.
In the meantime, Apple continues to enhance the capabilities of the Apple Watch, focusing on health and fitness features, notifications, and quick interactions. These core functionalities remain the primary selling points of the device, and third-party apps, while valuable, are not the main drivers of its success.
The removal of the Instagram app from the Apple Watch is part of a broader trend among major companies. While the Apple Watch remains a popular and innovative device, it appears that not all types of apps are well-suited for its platform. As Apple continues to refine watchOS and introduce new requirements, it will be interesting to see how the ecosystem evolves and whether more companies will invest in developing native apps for the Apple Watch.
Source 9 to 5 Mac
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