Simplicity and Apple Watch

Stephanie M. Lee writing for Buzzfeed reports on the learning curve needed to develop apps for the Apple Watch. Specifically, she covers the fact that simplicity is one of the most important components:

Yummly, which lets people search for recipes and compile ingredient shopping lists, has also seen high levels of engagement on Apple Watch. Chief Operating Officer Brian Witlin told BuzzFeed News the company charted a 250% spike in page views per average visit between June and July, though he declined to provide a baseline number for the increase.

Simplicity is key to Apple Watch app success, developers say. The Chipotle app’s “burrito button” does exactly what it sounds like: place an order to pick up at the nearest Chipotle. “It works well for the platform. What’s easier than pressing one button and sending an order to your go-to Chipotle?” said Jason Herrick, who oversaw development of the company’s watch app.

This is exactly right. If an app deserves to be on an Apple Watch (and not all apps do), then it should take the most important element of the app and amplify it to make it even easier to do. The Chipotle app is a really good example in my opinion. You aren’t going to place a custom order on your Watch. That would be silly. But say you like to get the same thing every time, what’s easier than tapping a single “Buy Button” and having you order ready minutes later?

This is what developers have to think about when they’re considering an app for Apple Watch. If they can’t do something as simple as that, then truthfully they will probably not see much success on the Watch. This isn’t bad thing, either. Remember, just like not all apps on a Mac will transfer to an iPad, not all iPhone apps will transfer to the Watch.

The sooner developers realize this, the better off they’ll be.