Feature request: Apple watch version?

[dae]

I’m afraid not much has changed since I originally wrote that.

[Lukaszanki]

Hi,

I know it’s been asked years ago but maybe nowadays it is more relevant.

How about making Apple Watch app? Not with lots of functions just so it displays repeat cards on the watch, sound and calculations could be handled on the iPhone. In my case I use use mini gamepad for repeats so having card displayed on the watch would skip me holding phone in hand when running and repeating.

Apple Watch screens are big enough for language repeats. Battery is also fine enough.

[ferophila]

I am not aware of any plans, as these limitations still seem valid: Feature request: Apple watch version? - #2 by dae

[Lukaszanki]

I don’t think so. Screen is big enough, there is one Flashcards app on Apple Watch and it’s fine for repeats. Battery also holds enough.

[brainravens]

@dae

Some of the technologies Anki relies on are not supported on the Apple Watch. A Watch implementation would require a significant amount of engineering work, and at the moment there are other areas that would benefit a larger number of users.

Unlikely to see the work that would be needed to implement it; seemingly for a few reasons.

[Shigeyuki]

There is a post on r/medicalschoolanki by an iOS developer who is planning to develop an app for Apple Watch and Anki. It has about 30 votes and is a bit popular. They plan to make the deck importable and use it and have no idea about development costs yet. And they seem to plan to avoid competing with Ankimobile.

• anki_cards_for_apple_watch / user/iWatchly

Development of Apple watch features still seems difficult, but seems to me to be decreasing in difficulty.

@dae

The watch has a small battery, and Apple intend it to be used for brief interactions, not longer sessions.

This thread was created in 2021 so I assume it was then. Batteries these days are more powerful, so this problem may be relatively small. ( about 18 hour - max 72 hour)

@dae

The screen is small, and you’ll likely give yourself sore eyes, sore arms or a sore neck if using it for more than short periods.

The recent Apple Watch has a larger screen (max 42mm → max 47mm). I think Image Occlusion is difficult, it looks good enough for language learning.

I think the problem of fatigue is still there, but maybe these can counteract it.

One of the advantages of the Apple Watch is that it can be easily carried during strenuous exercise such as jogging (e.g. Apple music, smartphones can break). Users can expect to review cards during breaks in such exercise or at leisure.

Other, it would be useful if the Apple Watch could function like a remote control (for iPad, for Desktop. e.g. Apple TV remote control by Apple Watch) Add-on Ankimote has the ability to review by swiping up, down, left or right on the smartphone, which is popular. Such a remote (e.g. 8BitDo) is popular when used while exercising (e.g. treadmill).

@dae

A Watch implementation would require a significant amount of engineering work,

If the OP of the post is capable of developing such a thing and can provide the code, it looks like there would be little need for development costs by official Anki (e.g. ask for open source code if possible and embed it in AnkiMobile, or ask for AnkiMobile work API only and remain closed source, after they develop the app and if it is popular with no problems official Anki buys it and embeds it in AnkiMobile.)

I don’t know if the OP of the post is reliable and competent, interested in such a project, or if AnkiMobile as closed-source is technically or securely capable of such incorporation or outsourcing. (I’m not an iOS developer so these are just ideas.)

But if such a project is possible it might be helpful for other iOS developers who want to develop extensions for AnkiMobile. (e.g. developers provide open source code and embed or connect using the official API by Anki, or developers request to buy their apps by the official Anki.)