2018 Series 4
Apple introduced the ability to display web content with the Series 4 Apple Watch in 2018.
Why Design Web Content For The Apple Watch
I am one of the very few web designers that has developed web content for the Apple Watch!
Not every web page will be able to be displayed on the small screen of an Apple Watch because, the web pages require configuration changes to the:
- Unique content layout of the web page. The viewport dimensions of 320 x 357 is reduced by 50%.
- The standard "Hamburger Menu" used by most mobile websites will not be discoverable and the "Touch Area" will be too small on the small screen area!
- Font size of the web page. Most mobile web pages use a MEDIUM size font. Recommend using larger font sizes so the web page content is readable!
The Apple Watch is the ONLY Smartwatch that is able to display web content
📈 According to the latest Global Smartwatch Vendor Marketplace report for Q1, 2020, Apple has a commanding lead with over a 54% market share. The next competitor Samsung, is not even close with less than a 15% market share!
Which Apple Watch devices are able to display web content?
2017 Series 3
Series 3 Apple Watches are also able to take advantage of this feature as long as the watchOS operating system is upgraded!
Apple Watch Owners Do Not Surf The Web On Their Devices
✅ There is no Safari Web Browser App in the watchOS operating system.
✅ watchOS integrates Apple's WebKit web layout engine.
✅ It uses Safari's Reader Mode to display web pages.
✅ Web content is supported ONLY in the Apple Watch Messages and Mail App when someone shares a web page link and the user chooses to open the link on their Apple Watch.