This week I’m in San Francisco at the Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC), where Apple unveils new products and services set to drive the mobile economy over the coming year. One thing is very clear: the app economy continues to thrive.
Having already earned in excess of $30 billion, iOS developers are now finding great success through new devices like the Apple Watch. ACT | The App Association’s report on the current state of the iOS app economy reflects that success.
Below are highlights from yesterday’s keynote address:
WatchOS 2
Those achieving early success in this environment are the first ones who figured out where the Watch offers unique value. Their reward has been a dramatic rise in user engagement and revenues. With native apps a new feature of WatchOS 2, developers can better utilize device sensors and build faster, more engaging apps. Direct access to Watch hardware like the accelerometer, microphone and taptic engine will allow apps to deliver data fast enough to meet user demand.
Search API
The updates to Search make iOS more responsive to the user environment. With the Search API, app makers can ensure users are able to quickly and easily access content stored in their apps. In iOS 9, a user can seamlessly search for something, find it in an application, and then head back to the search field. By searching using Siri, users can have instant access to the information that is stored deep inside their apps.
Apple Music
Apple has been a revolutionary force in the music industry. The iPod gave consumers a new way to buy music that changed the entire marketplace. It’s not surprising that Cupertino is finding ways to give consumers more than they ever knew they wanted through the new Apple Music app. The company’s new service will ensure artists are compensated for the work they do, and consumers can access the music they want in one single location.