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Posted on 05/10/2015 3:52:23 PM PDT by Swordmaker
Prominent community developer and jailbreaker Comex has posted a video showing a successful hack of Watch OS to get the device running a web browser.
In the video, Comex has managed to get the Google homepage to render on the small Watch display. Apple does not include a Safari browser app on the Watch, for obvious reasons. The video shows that scrolling around even basic web pages on a tiny display is impractical.
More importantly, the video shows that it is possible to get the Watch to run arbitrary code. This could be the first step towards a ‘jailbreak’ of the Apple Watch although Comex makes no such promises to ever release the details of his hack.
The video shows familiar iOS UI, like the Copy/Define contextual menu, which is an amusing look at the underlying software stack that powers the Watch. Watch OS 1.0 is actually a version of iOS 8.2 that runs a custom front-end layer to display the device-specific UI, called Carousel (Springboard is the iPad/iPhone equivalent).
To further prove the point, Comex also shows the Watch presenting the iOS dictionary view — again scrunched down onto the ~1.5 inch screen. Apple has announced a native SDK is in the works, which will allow the wider developer community to create apps that run code on the OS itself (rather than through an iPhone app extension a la WatchKit). Until then, community hacks like this are the first glimpse of what might be possible.
Apple said native third-party Watch apps are coming “later this year”. Many have took this to mean an announcement at WWDC, which runs from June 8th to June 12th.
No Apple-bots will mind, unless it interferes with the Gaydar app.
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for those moments when you just must be online...
at the risk of going blind....
WOW! You didn't take long to comment with your hateful comments to all Apple users and slurs. Thanks for your bigoted input.
I don’t think I minded his comment as it really was non-sensical. But, it did seem he meant ill by it. Poor fellow.
Enjoy your BSOD and nightly 500MB bugfix updates.
I have trouble enough with a 21” monitor. They don’t make magnify glasses that powerful for this to be useful.
LOL!
Best be careful. You might offend a freeper who values diversity. :-)
To apple fanboys all criticism is hate speech.
Like democrats with criticism of obozo.
Oh, Horrors. . . what a dilemma! My girlfriend is loving the Space Grey sport watch. I am still waiting for my Space Black stainless steel Apple Watch I ordered one minute before I ordered her watch. . . and she's had hers for four days. . . but mine is still listed as shipping in June. RATS.
You might want to get the one you can find available soonest which you can sell later when the one you really want becomes more generally available. Also, you are not limited by Apple's selection of watch bands. I have ordered Apple Watch connector kits on eBay which are available in either silver color or black which will connect to the Apple Watch case and then you can mount any standard 22mm watch band you like, including Deployant fastening style watch bands, the kind that don't use regular buckle types, in any style you prefer. The connectors are about $12 - $13 per pair dependent on whether your Apple Watch is a 38mm or 42mm width case.
You will need a pentalobe screw driver (the same screw driver Apple uses on screws on iPhones) to mount the third party straps on the adaptors, but I found one of those with free shipping on eBay for 79¢.
Trust you to think that was "criticism". . . that was just unthinking, ignorant vile insults aimed at Apple users. Much like what you post.
>>Trust you to think that was “criticism”. . . that was just unthinking, ignorant vile insults aimed at Apple users. Much like what you post.<<
Res ipsa loquitur.
I need not make my case when you make it for me with great eloquence.
It is too easy with you.
The progress here is not in getting a browser to run on a watch. That's just a stunt, which helps to get the progress noticed. But the actual advance is in jail-breaking the watch.
With the path now shown, expect others to produce more appropriate non-Apple watch apps.
It's not jailbroken. . . they just downloaded a browser onto it. Not a big deal. As I mentioned, the Apple Watch is designed to install Apps and is not particularly locked down. Putting the app on the watch was a simple as putting the browser app in the folder for auto download in to the Watch.
My case was made with your comment. . . and your posting history on Apple threads.
“To apple fanboys all criticism is hate speech.”
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Nah, it’s just “envy speech” by certain folks. Their words say more about them than whatever gibberish they are trying to convey.
>>My case was made with your comment. . . and your posting history on Apple threads<<
Agreed. It sucks to be you. You make it so easy.
This time you even walked into it.
Raise your game, SM. Your are just iPhoneing it in! Maybe you have Siri responding for you?
That would explain a lot.
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