Data Sharing And More Insights of WatchOS 3.0

Welcome to the next level of insights about WatchOS. If you are new to this WatchOS series then please read our blog Fundamental Concept of WatchOS.

In this article, we will look about data sharing methods across Apple Watch and iOS app. Also we will check for background tasks, Apple Pay Enhancement, WatchOS Connectivity framework, What’s new in WatchOS 3.0, etc.

So, let’s start with further more features and updates for WatchOS:

Different Methods of Sharing Data Between WatchKit and iOS App

• MMWormhole Library
• NSUserDefault
• WatchKit connectivity Framework

What’s New in WatchOS 3.0

With the upcoming WatchOS 3 update to all Apple Watch devices, the performance of many watch applications is definitely going to improve. This is mainly due to the new forms of background execution where watchOS apps can take advantage in order to refresh their content periodically and always have the latest information that is ready to be viewed by the user.

1. Background Task

Background tasks give your app time to keep running out of sight and ensure that the information user needs is accessible before they open your app. WatchOS 3 introduces several types of background tasks:

Background App Refresh

Utilize the WKApplicationRefreshBackgroundTask class to update your app’s status in the background. You frequently use a background app refresh task to manage other tasks. For example, you might use a background app refresh task to start an NSURLSession background transfer or to schedule a background snapshot refresh task.

• Background Snapshot Refresh
  Utilize the WKSnapshotRefreshBackgroundTask class to modify your app’s user interface. You can push, pop, or present other interface controllers, and then modify the content of the desired interface controller. The system naturally takes a snapshot of your user interface as soon as this task completes.
• Background Watch Connectivity
  When you receive background data from the paired iPhone, the system initiates your app in the background, instantiates a WKWatchConnectivityRefreshBackgroundTask object, and passes the task object to your extension delegate’s handleBackgroundTasks: method.
• Background URL Session
  When a background transfer needs authorization, or when a background transfer finished (successfully or unsuccessfully), the system creates a background NSURLSession event, instantiates a WKURLSessionRefreshBackgroundTask object, and moves the task object to your extension delegate’s handleBackgroundTasks: method.

2. Apple Pay Enhancement

In WatchOS 3, the PassKit framework (PassKit.framework) includes support for in-app payments on Apple Watch. In-app payments enable users to securely provide payment and contact information to pay for physical goods and services.

3. Watch Connectivity Framework Enhancements

The WatchConnectivity framework introduced in WatchOS 2 and iOS 9 is likewise increasing some new functionality with WatchOS 3 and iOS 10.

If a user has placed your app’s complexity on their watch face, then you can transfer data from the phone to the watch up to 50 times in a single day. But while transferring, if the data goes beyond the limit of 50, then the user will get notifications about the exceeded limit. This is done, as in iOS 9 and WatchOS 2, via the WCSession transferCurrentComplication(userInfo:) instance method. The new functionality in watchOS 3 and iOS 10 is the WCSession remainingComplicationUserInfoTransfers property, which will show you how many transfers are left for that day.

Another new WCSession property added is the hasContentPending property, which is just a boolean value signifying whether or not there is data yet to be transferred between the iPhone and Apple Watch.

4. Existing Frameworks now available in WatchOS

• SceneKit Framework
• SpriteKit Framework
• AVFoundation Framework
• CloudKit Framework
• Core Audio Framework
• GameKit Framework

5. SnapShot and Dock

In WatchOS 3, app sights have been removed entirely from the Apple Watch and instead have been displaced by the dock, which provides a rapid way for users to view and launch their favorite apps. After pressing the side button to show the Dock, users scroll through it to view snapshots of their favorite apps. When users stop scrolling and let the Dock settle for a moment, the promoted app wakes and the snapshot gets replaced by the running app.

The system automatically takes periodic snapshots of your app and uses them to populate the Dock and to serve as your app’s launch image. You can modify both the currently presented interface controller & the controller’s content before the snapshot is taken.

6. Control Center

Provides support for all-new Control Center which can be invoked by sliding up from the bottom of the screen.

7. New Watch Faces

Adds new watch faces and adds support for switching between them by swiping left/right from the edge of the watch screen.

8. Activity/Workouts

Adds support for sharing an activity with friends using iMessage or other messaging platforms.

Adds support for tracking the progress of people in wheelchairs, showing a “Time to Roll” reminder rather than “Time to Walk” as watchOS 2 did. It is now conceivable to see 5 different workout metrics all at once. This includes distance, pace, active calories, heart rate, and elapsed time. Adds support for delaying a workout when halted at a stoplight. Support for another Breathe app guides users through a set of deep breaths to help them be more comfortable.

9. SOS

Adds support for a feature called SOS which allows a person to place emergency calls by holding the side button for 5 seconds.

Give us a chance to check with some convenient question-answers.

FAQ

1. How many Apple Watch can I pair with one iPhone?

• You can pair one Apple Watch with one iPhone at a time – It’s an Exclusive Relationship

2. What is the maximum size for WatchKit App?

• The maximum size for WatchKit app is 30 MB.

3. Can I play video on Watch App?

• You can play short video with low frame rate.

4. Can I fetch contact in WatchKit app?

• You can add only 3 emergency contacts in Apple watch.

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