iOS 8.2 Beta 1 & Apple Watch Developer Kit Released

Apple has released iOS 8.2 beta 1 and an Apple Watch developer toolkit to those registered with the iOS developer program. The first iOS 8.2 beta build is 12D436 and arrives alongside a new beta version of Xcode 6.2, which includes the WatchKit developer package.

Though iOS 8.2 will undoubtedly include bug fixes and feature enhancements, it appears the first beta build is focused primarily to WatchKit compatibility and Apple Watch development.

iOS 8.2 beta IPSW is available to download alongside Xcode 6.2 with WatchKit from the Apple Developer website. As usual, participation in the iOS developer program requires a $99 annual membership.

• Developers can get both from iOS Dev Center here

An iPhone with iOS 8.2 beta is required to develop for WatchKit apps, Apple describes the WatchKit and iPhone relationship as follows:

WatchKit apps have two parts: A WatchKit extension that runs on iPhone and a set of user interface resources that are installed on Apple Watch. When your app is launched on Apple Watch, the WatchKit extension on iPhone runs in the background to update the user interface and respond to user interactions. WatchKit provides three opportunities to extend your iPhone app to Apple Watch: WatchKit apps, Glances, and actionable notifications.

All iOS beta releases are intended for developers only. The newest public release is currently iOS 8.1.1.

Apple Watch is expected to launch in early 2015.