Weather Up 3.0: The Interactive Weather App for iOS 17
The new weather app, Weather Up 3.0, is launching today and is pushing the limits of what iOS 17's interactive widgets can do. The app is introducing...
Weather Up introduces an iOS widget with an interactive weather app | ENBLE
Introducing Weather Up 3.0, a revolutionary weather app that is about to change the game for iOS 17’s interactive widgets. This app takes widget functionality to a whole new level, allowing users to tap on the forecast displayed on the widget and instantly access more detailed weather information. Developer David Barnard describes it as “putting a whole weather app in a widget.” 🌦️
A Side Project Turned Game-Changer
Weather Up 3.0 is the brainchild of David Barnard, a self-proclaimed “weather nerd” who also happens to be the developer of the popular iOS Home Screen customization app, Launch Center Pro. Alongside independent developer Brock Batsell, Barnard worked on Weather Up as a side project while juggling his day job as a growth advocate at subscription management startup RevenueCat.
Originally, Barnard and Batsell had planned to develop an Apple Watch complication that would provide a quick glance at the weather. However, when Apple announced support for interactive widgets, their plans took a different direction. The duo quickly adapted their app to make the most of this new functionality, allowing users to interact with the weather forecast directly from their widgets. 📱
“This is the nice part about it being a side hustle,” Barnard remarks. “I’m able to postpone these kinds of launches and do really cool stuff and tinker.” The flexibility of having a side project meant that Barnard could experiment and push the boundaries of what is possible without the pressure of financial responsibilities or investor expectations.
A Clever and Unique Way to Engage with the Weather
The result of their hard work is a weather app that offers a clever and unique way to interact with weather forecasts on your iPhone. With the new Weather Up widget, users can view the forecast for the next four days, complete with details about conditions like rain. Tapping on the rain forecast expands it to show a 60-minute view of when the rain is expected to end. Additionally, users can tap on any day to zoom into the hourly conditions and use an arrow to advance through time. It’s like having a crystal ball for your weekend plans! ⚽
The idea for using an arrow to navigate through the forecast came from Tucker MacDonald, developer of the Tide Guide app, who also provided technical assistance during the implementation process. The collaborative nature of the developer community is one of the things that makes projects like Weather Up possible.
Switching Weather Sources for Accuracy
By default, Weather Up relies on Apple’s Weather as its forecast source. Since Apple’s acquisition of Dark Sky, the service has greatly improved and is now the most reliable option for the majority of users. However, Barnard acknowledges that different weather services might be more accurate in specific locations and markets. Therefore, Weather Up provides the option to switch to AerisWeather or AccuWeather as the forecast source. In fact, you could even use three widgets on your Home Screen, each associated with a different source, to determine which one works best for you! 🌍
Behind the Scenes Challenges
Building a fully interactive weather widget presented its fair share of challenges. The APIs for this functionality were brand new with the release of iOS 17, leaving developers like Barnard and Batsell to navigate uncharted territory. When they encountered bugs or obstacles, there was little information available to guide them through the process. Furthermore, Apple imposed restrictions on the frequency of updates for interactive widgets.
Despite these hurdles, Batsell managed to add logic that allows the Weather Up widget to update every 15 minutes, if not more frequently. This achievement is remarkable given the limitations set by Apple. The widget also benefits from a higher refresh rate whenever the user interacts with it, providing up-to-date information in real-time. 🕒
The App that Keeps on Giving
While the Weather Up widget provides essential forecast information, the app itself offers additional details and features. Humidity, wind speed, cloud cover, the “feels like” temperature, and radar maps can all be found inside the app. Weather Up ensures that users have all the information they need, whether they’re relying solely on the widget or delving deeper into the app for a more comprehensive weather experience. ☁️
All Good Things Come at a Price
Weather data isn’t free, so the Weather Up app comes with a subscription price of $4 per month or $40 per year. (That’s right, no more $0.99 price points—Weather Up takes advantage of Apple’s new pricing structure.) To handle its subscription management, Weather Up utilizes the powerful RevenueCat API, provided by Barnard’s day job company. Barnard hopes that Weather Up will serve as a case study to showcase the benefits of RevenueCat’s subscription management solution.
The Future of Weather Apps
Weather Up has made an impressive leap in weather app innovation, but it also hints at the direction future weather apps may take. With interactive widgets becoming more advanced, developers will undoubtedly find even more creative ways to use them. The collaboration between developers, like the one between Barnard and Batsell, will drive further advancements and bring new possibilities to the world of weather forecasting.
So, if you’re tired of dull weather apps that only provide basic information, give Weather Up 3.0 a try. It’s the app that brings the weather to life and integrates seamlessly into your iOS 17 experience. Download it now on your iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, or even as an iMessage app!
Additional Q&A
Q: Can I customize the appearance of the Weather Up widget?
A: Unfortunately, widget customization options are limited to the design provided by the app. However, Weather Up offers a visually appealing and user-friendly widget that fits seamlessly with the iOS 17 aesthetic.
Q: Does Weather Up offer support for multiple locations?
A: At the moment, Weather Up focuses on providing accurate forecasts for your current location. However, the app’s developers are constantly working on improvements and updates, so stay tuned for possible future enhancements.
Q: Are there any plans to release Weather Up for Android devices?
A: As of now, Weather Up is only available for iOS devices. However, there’s always a possibility of expansion to other platforms in the future. For now, iOS users can enjoy the innovative features of Weather Up.
Q: What are the alternatives to Weather Up for interactive weather widgets?
A: While Weather Up is a standout app in terms of interactivity, there are other weather apps that offer widget functionality for iOS devices. Some popular alternatives include Dark Sky, CARROT Weather, and The Weather Channel. Each app has its own unique features, so it’s best to explore them and find the one that suits your preferences.
Q: How accurate is Weather Up’s forecast compared to other weather apps?
A: Weather accuracy can vary depending on factors such as location and the forecast source selected. Weather Up initially relies on Apple’s Weather, which has significantly improved since the company’s acquisition of Dark Sky. However, there’s always the option to switch to other forecast sources like AerisWeather or AccuWeather for potentially greater accuracy. Users can experiment with different sources to find the one that provides the most reliable forecasts for their specific area.
References 1. Weather Up 3.0 on Enble 2. Launch Center Pro on Enble 3. RevenueCat 4. Tide Guide app developer profile on LinkedIn 5. Apple’s Acquisition of Dark Sky on Enble 6. Apple’s new pricing policy on Enble 7. Weather Up download page on Enble
