Apple Watch Ultra — what dive software is in the works?

[kimh]

For Oceanic, they would have needed some sort of incentive to invest in the software development. An exclusivity agreement for some time would work. How long that is, is probably covered by an NDA.

When we worked w/Apple, there was no exclusivity. It’s just speculation, but I wouldn‘t assume that Oceanic has any kind of contractual exclusivity with Apple. For them to be the first/only Apple Watch dive app at launch, with extensive early dev support, co-marketing, etc – that’s already plenty of incentive. Don't forget that Oceanic already had a mature, existing codebase.

But beyond formal exclusivity, there’s also de facto exclusivity, which Oceanic currently has – and they knew up front that they'd have it for some period of time. Due to safety concerns, Apple will move slowly. I’d say that’s the real gating factor here.

 

[JoshuaHeard]

No advice, but I will be a 1-time watch owner if they don't allow a non-subscription option for a dive computer app. I don't do subscriptions.

My pricing model is going to be $20 for a 3-month trial or $80 for the full license. That way people can try the app over a summer, say, and then buy the full license if they like it. I haven't worked out the details yet.

I don't think multiple apps would be a problem. The API broadcasts the depth data asynchronously 2-3 times per second. My app samples depth at 1 second intervals. I think the Oceanus app every 10 seconds. However, the watch will only let you assign one diva app to the Crown which is the only way to access the app underwater.

If safety were the issue in issuing the entitlements, I think they would have some sort of formal application process seeking experience and qualifications, but I haven't seen that. Apple could probably access the source code of your app as well if they want. It's a mystery to me.

 

[Bowcaps]

A lot of good points coming out on this thread. As an app developer (although not dive app), I already know apple has a number of safeguards when allowing published apps on any of their platforms, if for nothing else - standardisation.

Also, whatever the contract, Oceanic will want a couple of years recuperating their near $80 annual subscription, as soon as other developers start publishing apps, at what I would assume should be a significant reduction in any fee’s levied, there may be an exodus from oceanic.

That said with oceanic having a monopoly for a while, may allow significant forward development, especially given their pedigree in the field.

Personally I hope they do and when the competition is let loose, oceanic reduce the subscription fees and continue development.

 

[kimh]

However, the watch will only let you assign one diva app to the Crown which is the only way to access the app underwater.

Is there some kind of documentation for how it might work to "bless" a dive app for exclusive crown access?

 

[kimh]

I think there might be less pressure on Oceanic to recoup development costs than some of us are assuming. Looks like they got a favorable deal for the launch, and they were already in the dive computer/software biz- they already had mature, existing code, and years of experience with manufacturing & hardware integration.

Estimates of Apple Watch installed base (incl. non-"Ultra") all seem to be north of 100 million, with 40 million-ish units selling annually. This kind of volume is new territory for a potential dive computer market. Of course, Oceanic will leverage their privileged starting position to drive revenue.

Even though the subscription model is not super-popular here, I think the value proposition is solid. E.g. USD $9.99 for a month of dives, which exceeds what most casual/rec divers need in a typical year. They’d pay that much to rent somebody else's dive computer for one day.

Divers who are active on scubaboard.com are also a self-selected group, and it's useful to remember that the larger casual/rec diving market is not the same thing.

 

[scubaozy]

Imho, creating sw as a service model is much more hassle (also expensive) than using your existing code base to support another platform. DC manufacturers charge north of 1k for their premium models, so, it is hw selling business even though most expensive part is building and maintaining sw. If oceanic built an app you could buy fully, this would kill their most profitable business. Hard to imagine divers will pay 1k for an apple watch and another 1k for a premium sw to run it. Manufacturers can still charge great amounts even though hw is nothing special, due their specialized position. I think a lot of other DC manufacturers will approach this situation with caution. But eventually it is inevitable that DC manufacturers will have to become sw providers but I expect this transition to be slow. If apple allows individual developers to get on board, things can change much faster.
I am mostly interested whether induvidual developers are able to get special entitlement, if that happens we might see new dive computer apps being available much earlier.
Regarding the value proposition; you can buy a cheap dc for the amount of a yearly subscription and with casual use, that will last you 20 years or more (I have several computers at that age all working). Its not like DC is something you can not easily carry with you when travelling.

 

[kimh]

you can buy a cheap dc for the amount of a yearly subscription

Do you have a link for that $79.99 wrist-mounted DC?

 

[scubaozy]

Do you have a link for that $79.99 wrist-mounted DC?

50 bucks will get you a Suunto solution or Octopus 2 in craiglist/ebay in Germany.

 

[kimh]

50 bucks will get you a Suunto solution or Octopus 2 in craiglist/ebay in Germany.

Link?

 

[scubaozy]

Link?

Links are not maintainable, this is ebay's craiglist above.