Apple’s call for Apple Watch apps, and “a small group of people”

Apple sent out a note to developers yesterday calling for them to “Submit your WatchKit apps now”. The note included this text:

It’s time. Apple Watch will be in the hands of customers on April 24. Get your WatchKit apps ready and submit them for review now.

Once your WatchKit app is approved and released by Apple, your existing iPhone users will receive the app update and customers will see your WatchKit extension icon and description on the App Store. A small group of people who currently have an Apple Watch will be able to use your WatchKit app before April 24, so make sure your back end systems are ready. If you prefer your WatchKit app to be available only after Apple Watch is available to all customers, set your release date to “manual” and update it on April 24.

The reference to “a small group of people” caught my eye. That small group of people is the only opportunity developers will have to get real life hands (or wrists and fingers) on their apps before the Apple Watch goes live. That group is anonymous. If they find a bug, will Apple find a way to report that bug back to you?

The email points developers to this Apple Watch app submission prep page. Lots of interesting info on the page, including:

Your iPhone app and your WatchKit app share one name and one description. If your iPhone app contains a WatchKit app, Glance, or notification, mention this functionality early in your description and include it in the What’s New section. Do not include the phrase Apple Watch in your app name.

And:

Apple Watch should always be written in English, even when it appears within text of another language. Always write Apple Watch as two words with an uppercase A and an uppercase W.

And:

Your app preview may only use footage of your iPhone app, and footage must stay within the app. Do not change your preview to show your WatchKit app.

This is really whetting my appetite. I can’t wait to see what people will do with this new platform.