Ahead of the launch of the Apple Watch, some analysts estimated that by the end of 2015, shipments of Apple’s first wearable will reach more than 13.7 million units, giving the company a nearly 50% share of the market out of the gate. So what does that mean for content creators and app developers? What do they need to know about the new platform?

We’ve put together some recommended reads (also see this month’s Publishing Innovations blog) to help you better understand the impact of what is shaping up to be an important addition to the smartwatch space. Learn about the different models, how to use basic and advanced features, the underlying technology, and how to build successful apps.

Apple Watch Book Picks

Apple Watch McNulty coverApple Watch Gosling book cover  Apple Watch Spark cover       Apple Watch Manning cover       Apple Watch Kelly cover

The Apple Watch Book by Scott McNulty
The Apple Watch is more than a timepiece and a fashion accessory. The watch is designed to be a personal assistant you can use to do everything from paying for groceries or a coffee to keeping a detailed record of your daily physical activity. Author Scott McNulty has organized the book around events and activities, showing you how to use the watch in various settings.

Apple Watch Is It for Me? All You Wanted to Know by Lisa Gosling
Author Lisa Gosling starts with a discussion about the technology behind the Apple Watch, including what it calls the Taptic Engine, which combines with apps to provide a state-of-the-art experience. She also explains the various Apple Watch features and outlines the different models.

Apple Watch: Buyers Guide to the Best +50 Features by Joseph Spark
In an effort to maintain its claim in today’s modern marketplace, Apple has released another novel innovation: the Apple Watch. Unveiled in September 2014 with the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus, this newest piece of technology has been dubbed the watch of the century. The book says its highly anticipated release promises competition for its fashionable rival, the Moto 360, and reviews to date indicate it is expected to deliver.

Swift Development for the Apple Watch by Jon Manning and Paris Buttfield-Addison
Take advantage of this unique opportunity to write for a brand new platform and get your apps noticed. This book is a short guide that introduces developers to building apps for the Apple Watch.

Build WatchKit Apps: Develop and Design by Maurice Kelly and Mark Goody
Quickly get started creating WatchKit apps with this essential beginners guide to building apps for the Apple Watch. In this book, co-authors Mark Goody and Maurice Kelly introduce you to the technical aspects of building WatchKit apps and show you how to create a WatchKit project.

If you’d like to share something you’ve read, drop us a note. And keep up with the latest industry news coverage by signing up for our This Week in Publishing emails and monthly Publishing Innovations newsletter.

Posted by: Margot Knorr Mancini

A thought leader in the publishing industry, Margot Knorr Mancini has helped numerous publishers redefine their missions to become nimble content generators with the ability to repurpose content easily and efficiently. As Founder & CEO of Technology for Publishing, her analytical mind allows her to remain a step ahead of the industry, recognizing early trends and developing pivotal best practices.