Apple Watch could get support for unofficial watch faces

Ever since the first generation of the Apple Watch, many owners have complained that they don't like it, or they find the selection of basic watch faces that Apple offers limited. Currently, there is a fairly large number of styles to choose from, from minimalist, to modern, pictorial, etc. However, a fairly large part of the user base was calling for them to be able to choose beyond the official options. It seems that their wish was granted.

The latest watchOS 4.3.1 beta hints in its code that Apple Watch owners could see support for third-party watch faces. They would not be so dependent on choosing a few official designs, which would mean a greater level of individualization of the watch. This change is at least indicated by a line in the code that is part of the NanoTimeKit framework within watchOS.

The NanoTimeKit framework is a tool that gives developers (limited) access to the individual components found in the watch face system (these are various extension apps that you can set into "shortcuts" in the corners). There is a comment on one of the lines in the code that at least hints at the above, but you can see for yourself in the image below. Specifically, it says: "This is where the 3rd party face config bundle generation would happen.". Interpretation may vary, but this is the first indication that Apple is taking some steps in this regard.

Optimistic commentators on foreign websites expect that Apple will add this new feature to watchOS 5. However, this is pure speculation, or wishful thinking. Such a step does not fit in at all with the way Apple approaches some of the visual elements of its operating systems. In the case of iOS, it is also not possible to modify the appearance of the home or lock screens. The main reason is primarily the unification and usability of the entire visual concept, which could discredit the usability of the device as such through the careless intervention of third-party developers. So if Apple resorts to something similar in the case of the Apple Watch, it will be a very unexpected move indeed. The 5th generation of the new watchOS operating system will be presented at WWDC in June, so hopefully we will know more at that time.

Source: Macrumors