I had an idea for an app over the summer. Basically, it would be a weather app for checking road conditions. I was going to use Dark Sky’s fantastic and wonderfully precise API to check the weather. I started a new job and ended up never getting a start on the project. Now, however, that project will have to wait even longer, and won’t be as good as it could have been. That’s because Apple has acquired Dark Sky. They’re ending support for the Android app and killing the API. That means they’re killing support for all apps that used the API. At this point, that was many third party apps.
Millions of users will lose their favorite apps. From apps that used the Dark Sky API like CarrotWeather, to the Android apps, and for developers everywhere. Apple’s taking something away from all of these developers and users.
What does Apple even need Dark Sky for anyway?
What We’re Losing
Hyper accurate weather with personality!
If you only use the iOS app, nothing will change. Apple will continue to sell the app on the App Store, at least for now. They may change their mind in the future. Apple has been known to do that. If you’re using Android or Wear OS, the app is already off Google Play. Support for existing subscribers will end on July 1st. That’s the same time the website will drop forecasts, maps, and embedded information.
Finally, there’s the API. It’ll only work for the Dark Sky iOS app in the future, however existing developers can continue to use it until 2021. If you did not sign up to use the API already, you can’t anymore. You missed your chance. Apple won’t accept any new users.
Who’s using the API? A number of iOS and Android apps, as well as websites. Carrot Weather, a popular iOS app (and my weather app of choice) will have to find a new API or shut down at the end of next year. Two years is a lot of time to retool your app for a new API. That’s not necessarily the problem. The issue is that Dark Sky had hyper local weather, down to the pinpoint predictions. It’s incredibly reliable, and gives users access to a lot of weather information. Developers relied on that level of accuracy in their apps. Without it, they may not be able to continue.
What Apple’s Doing?
So what’s Apple doing with this weather app? Apple currently has a weather app that sources data from The Weather Channel. It’s not incredibly useful though. The data isn’t as accurate as Dark Sky’s and there’s no radar. Because of this, many people reach for a third party app. Does Apple want to improve their weather app?
What would Apple have to gain for having a fantastic weather app on iOS?
Perhaps they want to extend the weather app to macOS as well? It’s possible. A universal version of Dark Sky is attractive. But who has ever chosen a mobile OS or a platform based solely on a weather app? Furthermore, competition will likely spring up in a year or two that can match what Apple’s doing. As far as direct uses of Dark Sky, I’m not sure what Apple’s going to use this app for.
Maybe something with AR? Improvements to Maps? More intelligent behavior tracking and AI in the rest of iOS? I could see Apple weaving weather data into all parts of their operating systems. What Apple’s actually going to do? It’s unknown. But from where I’m sitting, it seems to me users and developers got more use out of Dark Sky than Apple will.
This is exactly why we shouldn’t allow tech companies to get too big. Monopolies help no one. Now we’ve lost an excellent tool. For once, weather prediction felt more accurate than a guess based on sticking your head out the window. Now? Who knows?
Sources:
- Dark Sky
- David Pierini, Cult of Mac
- Chris Wedel, Android Central