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Nick Walter

The Apple Watch is out, and it's selling off the charts. It's on track to be in the hands of more than 25 million people year end. Take this course now and be one of the first to have your own apps available in this historic introductory year.

I firmly believe that the best way to learn is by doing. So we go through everything step by step in the making of 15 different apps from scratch. From these 15 apps you will learn all the skills needed to make your own apps for the Apple Watch.

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The Apple Watch is out, and it's selling off the charts. It's on track to be in the hands of more than 25 million people year end. Take this course now and be one of the first to have your own apps available in this historic introductory year.

I firmly believe that the best way to learn is by doing. So we go through everything step by step in the making of 15 different apps from scratch. From these 15 apps you will learn all the skills needed to make your own apps for the Apple Watch.

The best part is that no prior programming experience is required. I've been the beginner that had trouble with complex tutorials, and will never speak over your head. If you've got some programming experience already however, you'll have everything you need to dive headfirst into Apple Watch's WatchKit and Swift so that you can work to an impressive skill level.

We'll dive into a thorough explanation of all WatchKit SDK elements including actionable notifications, glances, general interface principles, interacting with the iPhone, and working with API's.

  • I have 9 iOS apps in the App Store which total over 300,000+ downloads
  • I teach more than 17,000 other students in my conglomerate of highly rated Udemy courses
  • I use an energetic and engaging course style that involves students. I guess you could say, I'm far from a robot… and it should be entertaining :)
  • I have been doing iOS development for 4+ years
  • When I was first learning iOS development, I was often confused by wordy blog posts and tutorials. I will never talk over your head.
  • I created the first Udemy Swift course and also teach the highly rated “How to Make a
  • People who want to make apps. I will not be teaching wordy or complicated computer science philosophies. I will be teaching you how to make apps that you can play with, share with friends & family, and offer to the world.
  • Beginners. You don't need any programming experience to take this class. I have been the absolute beginner before and I want to help you.
  • Those programmers who are new to Apple Watch. Dive in with your prior experience and move more quickly, on to become an impressive Apple Watch developer.
  • Entrepreneurs who have an idea for an app. Don't pay somebody thousands to build your app. Do it yourself. Having the ability to create something you can think of is extremely powerful.
  • Career development professionals who want to earn money professionally via contract work, consulting, full-time employment, and so forth
Enroll now

What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Make a freaking apple watch app
  • Learn the basics of swift

Syllabus

Get Xcode downloaded and make your first simple app!
Welcome!
Downloading Xcode
Setting Up Our Project
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Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Requires Xcode, which is a large software suite that may take time and bandwidth to download and install, especially for learners with limited resources
Uses Swift, which is a modern and widely used language for Apple platforms, making it a valuable skill for aspiring iOS and watchOS developers
Focuses on building 15 different apps from scratch, providing hands-on experience and practical skills development for creating Apple Watch applications
Covers actionable notifications, glances, interface principles, iPhone interaction, and API usage, which are essential elements for developing comprehensive Apple Watch applications
Teaches how to make apps that can be shared with friends and family, and offered to the world, which can be highly motivating for new developers
Focuses on WatchKit SDK elements, which may be subject to updates and changes by Apple, potentially requiring learners to adapt to new versions and features over time

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Reviews summary

Apple watch app development intro

According to learners, this course is a largely positive entry point into Apple Watch development, especially for those with little to no prior programming experience. The project-based approach, which involves building 15 practical apps, is widely praised for helping students grasp fundamental concepts through hands-on learning. Many students found the instructor's teaching style engaging and easy to follow. While effective for getting started and building basic apps with WatchKit, a notable point raised in more recent reviews is that the content feels somewhat outdated, primarily focusing on WatchKit rather than the newer SwiftUI framework. Some learners also reported challenges with technical setup due to differences in Xcode and OS versions compared to the course materials.
Instructor is energetic and clear
"The instructor is very energetic and explains things clearly. He keeps you motivated."
"Great teacher, easy to listen to and follow along with."
"His teaching style makes learning fun and engaging. Far from a robot indeed!"
"Clearly passionate about the subject and good at explaining complex ideas simply."
Learning by building apps is highly effective
"Building the 15 apps really helped solidify the concepts and see how everything fits together."
"The hands-on projects are the best part; you immediately apply what you learn."
"I love that you build so many different apps right away. It's very practical."
"Going step-by-step through the app creation process made learning enjoyable and effective."
Excellent starting point for no-coders
"This course was a great introduction to Apple Watch development, perfect for absolute beginners."
"I had no prior programming experience and found the explanations very clear and easy to follow."
"He teaches exactly what you need to know to get started without making it overly complex."
"Perfect for someone looking to dive into watchOS development with zero prior knowledge."
Potential difficulties with current software
"Had trouble getting the projects to work with the latest Xcode and OS versions."
"Some steps didn't match the current Xcode interface, requiring troubleshooting."
"Needed to search online for solutions to get the projects running due to version differences."
"Requires specific older versions of software or requires careful adjustments for newer environments."
More Newbie than Pro level
"While it's great for beginners, it doesn't go deep enough for advanced users or truly 'pro' level development."
"The projects are simple, providing a good start, but don't cover complex scenarios."
"It delivers on the 'Newbie' promise but doesn't quite reach 'Pro'."
Focuses on older technology (WatchKit)
"Much of the course focuses on WatchKit, while SwiftUI is the current standard for watchOS development."
"Needs to be updated to use newer versions of Swift and Xcode."
"Wish it covered SwiftUI instead of WatchKit. Still useful basics, but not current."
"Although the fundamentals are sound, the use of WatchKit feels a bit behind."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Apple Watch - Go From Newbie to Pro by Building 15 Apps with these activities:
Review Swift Fundamentals
Solidify your understanding of Swift syntax and core concepts before diving into WatchKit. This will make learning WatchKit much smoother.
Show steps
  • Review Swift data types, variables, and control flow.
  • Practice writing simple Swift functions and classes.
  • Complete online Swift tutorials or coding challenges.
Read 'Swift Programming: The Big Nerd Ranch Guide'
Gain a deeper understanding of Swift with a well-regarded guide. This will help you grasp the language concepts used in the Apple Watch app development.
Show steps
  • Obtain a copy of 'Swift Programming: The Big Nerd Ranch Guide'.
  • Read the chapters covering basic Swift syntax and data structures.
  • Work through the examples and exercises in the book.
Build a Simple WatchKit App
Apply what you're learning in the course by building a small, independent WatchKit app. This hands-on experience will solidify your understanding of the concepts.
Show steps
  • Choose a simple app idea, such as a basic counter or timer.
  • Create a new WatchKit project in Xcode.
  • Implement the app's functionality using WatchKit and Swift.
  • Test the app on the Apple Watch simulator.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Practice WatchKit Layouts
Master the art of creating effective layouts for the small screen of the Apple Watch. This will improve the user experience of your apps.
Show steps
  • Experiment with different WatchKit layout elements.
  • Recreate existing Apple Watch app interfaces.
  • Practice using the Interface Builder in Xcode.
Document Your Learning Journey
Reinforce your understanding by documenting your learning process. This will help you identify areas where you need more practice.
Show steps
  • Create a blog or journal to record your progress.
  • Write about the challenges you face and how you overcome them.
  • Share your code snippets and project ideas.
Contribute to a WatchKit Open Source Project
Deepen your understanding of WatchKit by contributing to an open-source project. This will expose you to real-world development practices.
Show steps
  • Find an open-source WatchKit project on GitHub.
  • Review the project's code and documentation.
  • Identify a bug or feature to work on.
  • Submit a pull request with your changes.
Explore 'Apple WatchOS by Tutorials'
Expand your knowledge of watchOS development with a tutorial-based book. This will help you build more advanced and sophisticated Apple Watch apps.
Show steps
  • Obtain a copy of 'Apple WatchOS by Tutorials'.
  • Work through the tutorials in the book, focusing on topics that interest you.
  • Experiment with the code examples and adapt them to your own projects.

Career center

Learners who complete Apple Watch - Go From Newbie to Pro by Building 15 Apps will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Freelance App Developer
Freelance App Developers work on a contract basis to create mobile applications for clients. With the growing popularity of the Apple Watch, expertise in WatchKit and Swift development is highly marketable. This course, designed to guide learners in building fifteen Apple Watch applications from scratch, helps build a strong portfolio and showcases the ability to deliver high-quality apps for the Apple Watch. This makes it an excellent investment for those looking to establish themselves as freelance app developers.
Mobile Application Developer
A Mobile Application Developer designs, develops, and tests mobile applications for various platforms, including smart watches. Given the growing popularity of the Apple Watch, proficiency in WatchKit and Swift is increasingly valuable. This course, focused on building fifteen Apple Watch applications from scratch, helps build a portfolio and provides practical experience with WatchKit SDK elements, such as actionable notifications and glances. This ensures that aspiring mobile application developers start their careers with a solid foundation in Apple Watch development.
iOS Developer
iOS Developers specialize in creating applications for Apple's ecosystem, including the Apple Watch. This course helps build skills specific to WatchKit and Swift, essential technologies for Apple Watch development. By learning to build fifteen different apps, prospective iOS developers may gain valuable practical experience. This course provides an opportunity to develop a portfolio of Apple Watch applications.
Software Engineer
Software Engineers design, develop, and test software applications. While this is a broad field, expertise in specific platforms like the Apple Watch can distinguish a candidate. This course, which provides a step-by-step guide to building fifteen Apple Watch apps using Swift and WatchKit, helps build a strong foundation in Apple Watch development. This makes it an ideal choice for software engineers looking to expand their skills and stay competitive in the rapidly evolving tech industry.
Wearable Technology Engineer
Wearable Technology Engineers focus on designing and developing software and hardware for wearable devices, such as the Apple Watch. This course's hands-on approach to building fifteen different apps for the Apple Watch provides practical experience with the WatchKit SDK and Swift. It offers foundational knowledge in application development specifically for a wearable platform. The course may be helpful to anyone looking to specialize in the burgeoning field of wearable technology.
Mobile Technology Consultant
Mobile Technology Consultants provide expert advice to businesses on how to best leverage mobile technology. Understanding the capabilities of platforms like the Apple Watch is valuable. This course offers insights into WatchKit SDK elements and general interface principles for the Apple Watch. This may enable consultants to provide informed recommendations to clients looking to develop applications for wearable devices.
Internet of Things Developer
An Internet of Things Developer (IoT) works with connected devices and systems, and the Apple Watch represents a key component of the wearable IoT ecosystem. Using skills learned in this course to make apps that interact with iPhone and APIs may be helpful to an IoT developer. The course's focus on actionable notifications and glances may be useful in creating innovative IoT solutions.
User Interface Designer
User Interface Designers (UI) are concerned with the look and feel of applications, ensuring they are intuitive and user-friendly. Since the Apple Watch has unique interface considerations, experience developing for this platform is valuable. This course directly addresses general interface principles for the Apple Watch. By building fifteen apps, you may be able to refine your understanding of UI design for wearable technology. The course may be useful for UI designers looking to expand their skill set.
Application Architect
Application Architects are responsible for the overall design and structure of software applications. Understanding the nuances of different platforms is crucial, and this course helps build that understanding for Apple Watch development. The course, which dives into WatchKit SDK elements and general interface principles, may allow application architects to make informed decisions about app architecture for wearable devices. It helps to understand how applications interact with iPhone and APIs.
Technology Educator
Technology Educators teach others about technology, often through courses or workshops. Expertise in app development, particularly for emerging platforms like the Apple Watch, is useful. By working step by step through the creation of fifteen apps, this course helps build the knowledge and practical skills to teach others effectively about Apple Watch development. The skills taught in this course may enable technology educators to offer valuable training.
Software Development Manager
Software Development Managers oversee teams of software developers, ensuring projects are completed on time and within budget. Understanding the technical aspects of different platforms like the Apple Watch is valuable for effective management. This course, which dives into WatchKit SDK elements and general interface principles, may allow managers make informed decisions about project planning and resource allocation for Apple Watch projects.
User Experience Researcher
User Experience Researchers (UX) study how users interact with technology to improve usability and satisfaction. The Apple Watch presents unique challenges and opportunities for UX research. This course's exploration of interface principles and actionable notifications may enable user experience researchers to develop a deeper understanding of user behavior on wearable devices. This may improve the design of future Apple Watch applications.
Product Manager
Product Managers guide the development and launch of new products, making decisions about features, pricing, and marketing. For a product manager working on mobile apps, the Apple Watch is an important platform to consider. This course's step-by-step approach to building Apple Watch apps may help product managers understand the capabilities and limitations of the platform. This is essential for making informed decisions about product strategy and roadmap.
Quality Assurance Engineer
Quality Assurance Engineers (QA) test software applications to ensure they meet quality standards. Experience with different platforms, including the Apple Watch, is valuable. This course, which covers a range of WatchKit SDK elements and app functionalities through 15 sample builds, helps QA engineers to test apps effectively on the Apple Watch. The course may be useful in developing testing strategies and identifying potential issues.
Full-Stack Developer
Full Stack Developers work on both the front-end and back-end aspects of web and mobile applications. While this course focuses on Apple Watch app development, the skills learned in Swift and WatchKit can be transferable to other areas of development. For example, learning how apps interact with iPhone and APIs may be helpful to backend development. The course may be most useful for those looking to expand their skills in the Apple ecosystem.

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Apple Watch - Go From Newbie to Pro by Building 15 Apps.
Provides a hands-on approach to learning watchOS development. It covers a wide range of topics, from basic UI elements to advanced features like complications and background tasks. It is particularly useful for developers who want to build complex and feature-rich Apple Watch apps. This book is valuable as additional reading to expand on the course materials.

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