

Apple bans Watch apps “whose primary function is telling time” - iwwr
http://9to5mac.com/2015/04/28/apple-watch-face-app-policy/

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s_dev
>This rule that Watch apps that only tell time will be rejected has actually
been enforced since

Smart watches actually have really nothing to do with time pieces -- the name
watch is just some marketing skeumorphism because its a smart phone on your
wrist. If the Apple watch couldn't tell the time it would still be just as
useful and expensive.

If you don't agree with this policy because its authoritarian -- it is -- but
thats Apple and thats another debate. Given that they are authoritarian they
might as well get rid of "apps that exclusively tell time" or "fart apps".
This makes sense to me.

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applerules
I agree. Also:

Smart phones actually have really nothing to do with cell phones -- the name
phone is just some marketing skeumorphism because its a smart computer in your
pocket. If the Apple phone couldn't call or text it would still be just as
useful and expensive.

If you don't agree with this policy because its authoritarian -- it is -- but
thats Apple and thats another debate. Given that they are authoritarian they
might as well get rid of "apps that exclusively call or text" [e.g. whatsapp,
hangouts, snapchat, facebook messenger, burner etc] or "fart apps". This makes
sense to me.

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joshstrange
So while the headline seems pretty damning I think this policy makes sense
seeing how the third-party "apps", as of right now, do not execute ON the
watch (everything happens on the phone and talks to watch). Apple doesn't want
"custom watch faces" which will require talking over the expensive (in terms
of battery) link to the phone for every update. I think this is all about
battery not trying to stifle third-party watch faces.

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dalke
I wonder if the restriction only regards Earth time. People have made watches
that kept Mars time -
[http://mars.nasa.gov/mer/spotlight/spirit/a3_20040108.html](http://mars.nasa.gov/mer/spotlight/spirit/a3_20040108.html)
. I'm sure some JPL people and other Mars fans would want their Apple watch to
be the same.

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soup10
Yes please don't let your customers customize their watch face. One of the few
cool things about a smart watch. Idiots.

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pstevesy
That makes sense. Though a clock fart combo app might be able to squeeze by. I
guess it doesn't fit in with their vision of what they want it to become.

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jbdigriz
After reading this article and some of the comments, its completely clear that
Apple has undeniably triggered almost the exact same effects on some people as
the most addictive drugs known to mankind. It's almost mind boggling to
consider but I would go a step further to say this is likely the same effect
reflected in Apple's recently announced profits - much like a drug kingpin
entering the market with his highly addictive product would experience (ie.
Crack cocaine in the 80s). It's truly beyond anything I could imagine and
honestly scares the shit out of me.

The problem in such scenarios is that reason and logic become completely
irrelevant - the addict falls under the trance of the drug and short of
keeping them physically separated from said chemical in order to let the body
clear itself of its influence and effects, few have the will to come back from
the depths - and the end result is almost always painfully tragic. It's so
tragic that society ends up going to the opposite extreme and attempts to ban
nearly any mind altering chemical - that is how fearful the collective
sentiment is and if the war on drugs is any precedent, it can last four
decades and ultimately ruin even more lives than the drug itself.

I read this article and I really felt I had been directed towards a satirical
article from the likes of The Onion or Clickhole. I am NOT trying to be overly
emphatic or derogatory - it just seems like the first time a brand and their
line of material products seems to have such a deep rooted hold on its
customers. Sure, there are always fads which have a momentary grasp over their
customers: Tickle me Elmo, Furbies, various pop artists, etc. But those always
seemed to follow the same trajectory and never indicated any lasting effect.
But this is clearly very different.

Think about this piece for a moment and the clearly Apple supportive writer
and website. On one hand, he had the sensibility to write the article and even
put the almost satirical title on it. That's probably a good sign. Also good
is the factual recounting of the brand's position and justification of such.
Reason seems to still have a far deeper rooted presence in this person's being
than the brand does. But in much the same way an addict or a victim of
domestic abuse reacts upon the possibility of losing said target of addiction,
it quickly devolves into justifications and ultimately acceptance of such a
completely untenable prospective future. Though there is certainly some
sarcasm in the few commentators here, it's clear their sentiments and
perceptions follow the same trajectory.

Again, I apologize and don't mean to insult or belittle, my argument is my
true and honest opinion. So I must ask - is it me? So disconcerting is this
notion that I'm compelled to ask if perhaps I'M the crazy one. Because I read
this article and see that a company has produced a product precisely to
resemble a watch in every way and even includes such in the name but then
makes a draconian move to deny third parties willing to do so the ability to
distribute software producing A WATCH FACE for said watch (likely thousands
with no desire to even make a profit). Is this real? Am I hallucinating??? I
struggle to come up with any reasonable scenario where this is a move to
prevent competition, which would also be highly disturbing but not in the
least surprising, especially considering the brand in question. It's simply
some form of an arbitrary egomaniacal move which defies rational belief to
those not completely consumed and ultimately entranced with any position held
by some perceived 'god' or 'god-like' object (need to confirm I'm not the only
one before fully backing this statement). But it's bizarre and the potential
is as unsettling as the actual result in front of me - the same as if Apple
produced the Apple Cat and then immediately barred anyone from calling our
treating it as a cat while simultaneously making it appear as a dog and
requiring all customers assimilate and accept the same. And the response
being, "Yeah, I think it's their right to do this - I mean, it's not a REAL
cat anyway, so why not call the Apple Cat a DOG..I mean it's Apple afterall,
right ;)". Yes - it's Apple, the company who indirectly employs factories with
such inhuman work schedules that they need to install nets to catch the
numerous employees jumping from the roof to end their torture; Apple, who
while hoarding tens of billions in stockpiled profits uses all its might to
prevent potential extra costs by clearly colluding with and/or threatening
competitors from "poaching" talent interested in reclaiming their souls and
free thought by leaving - even for ex-employees years departed from their
empire of misery. Holy hell, where am I and how did I get here?!?

There are a number of anecdotes describing the Microsoft antitrust
investigations years ago. I recall one description of the completely defiant
and confrontational tone of Mr. Gates during these times and his unflinchingly
complete denial of any possibility of such a concept. There is some room for
debate, but I can't imagine a rational person would see such accusations as
completely baseless, especially when presented with evidence of clear internal
communications showing not only obvious actions to suppress competition, but
purposeful intent and rhetoric to this regard. I remember thinking then that
this was delusion personified - someone so desperately self identifying with
his creation that to accept such condemnation would be to accept condemnation
of himself. It happens and perhaps at some point, to all of us. But the normal
progression ultimately leads to a snap back to reality (thankfully the case
with Mr. Gates - at least as far as one can tell from his undeniable and
profound generosity). And ultimately a nostalgic look back at how entranced
one had been as almost unbelievable - from the comfort of rational thought. So
here's hoping the spell is broken and those held captive by their obsessive
enchantment come back to reality because we really need you here.

Otherwise, if you're out there, Morpheus - I desperately need a red pill

