Like panning for gold in mobile software productivity, developers looking to match their Northwest ingenuity and app-titude with the precious metals of the first-edition Apple Watch have already staked numerous claims. Here’s a rundown of Puget Sound “soft-wear” by Seattle-area Netco’s who have put their best, “haptic face” on the new timepieces.
The Seattle-based Breaking News app, produced for NBC Digital, delivers up-to-the-minute headlines to the Apple watch at a “Glance,” and invites eyewitness news spotters to submit their own news scoops with a built-in reporting tool. Reminds us of Mobile Justice, the new App form the ACLU for smartphone filming of errant police behavior. Oregon and California have the new MJ mobile app in hand while a Washington state version is still in wait.
With BusMe from Peak Systems, you can raise your hand for something other than a Far West Taxi (Uber also offers a wrist-ready app). BusMe not only predicts bus departure times based on your Puget Sound location but can also accurately calculate the walking time between where you are and where your stop is located.
Vying for the small piece of real estate on your wrist, Seattle’s home shopping, pricing, scouting and buying stars let you get to know the Seattle real estate market like the back of your hand.
Zillow-owned Trulia‘s app will signal you when nearby homes are available on the market including pictures and local data on schools. property details and directions. Tap on the “Request Info” button to send a message to the listing agent. The Zillow app does all of the above plus provides Zestimates of home values.
Ready for travel? Expedia’s wrist app will tell you if your flight is on time and at what gate. Triplt, owned by Seattle’s Concur, lets you cruise through the airport, coffee in one hand and carry-on luggage in the other, and just glance down at your wrist to see which gate you need to be at and at what time. If you’re a TripIt Pro user, you’ll also receive real-time flight alerts, like flight delays or gate changes.
Fifth Star Labs, makers of Sky Guide, let you experience the wonders of the night sky in ways you’ve only dreamed of. Learning what’s in the canopy of space above you is effortless. Hold Sky Guide up and it automatically aligns itself to your surroundings. Be your own Guardian of the Galaxy.
Microsoft is pleasantly, and historically, ahead of schedule for an Apple device with watch versions of OneDrive, OneNote, and PowerPoint. As with all Apple Watch apps, the software executes on the iPhone. The watch is simply a handy window to the space-age computer you are carrying in your bag or pocket.
Users of OneDrive photo storage, PowerPoint and OneNote will appreciate driving slides straight from their watch with just a tap, and the ability to dictate OneNote notes in true Dick Tracy fashion.
The Omni Group, Seattle’s venerable, independent Apple software developers for desktop and tablets has enabled its OmniFocus app to manage daily project activity lists with wrist reminders fingertip controls.
Starbucks has announced that “many of the same features you love about your iPhone app are now available on your wrist (where available).” Adding your Starbuck’s card to Apple’s Passbook lets you use Apple Pay from your watch at any participating store.
Zulily’s app for the Apple Watch will provide eager shoppers with an exciting new way to browse fresh finds on high-tech fashion.
The Apple was practically made for Addappt, the smart address book app developed in the Seattle region, Makes addappt, inc. have developed a one “tapp” notification-based messaging system. Aend (and receive) fully customizable ‘tapp’ messages (like “Running late”, “Stuck in Traffic”, “Landed safely” etc. or kaomoji like ¯\_(ツ)_/¯, including a selection of 100 emoji (includes the vulcan salute), with one “tapp” to your Favorites.
Finally, Amazon has released its voice-searching, one-tap-buying Amazon App. Earth’s biggest selection is now within easy reach under your watchful eyes. [24×7]
