From time-to-time Apple makes acquisitions that it feels will help its overall business model in some way or another. Today’s acquisition is all about the weather.
The developers behind the popular weather app Dark Sky have announced today that the app has a new home: Apple. The developers say they are thrilled by the acquisition, adding they are ready for the opportunity for their app to reach even more people than it already does, and to make far more impact in the process.
Our goal has always been to provide the world with the best weather information possible, to help as many people as we can stay dry and safe, and to do so in a way that respects your privacy.
There is no better place to accomplish these goals than at Apple. We’re thrilled to have the opportunity to reach far more people, with far more impact, than we ever could alone.
There are some changes to be made aware of, though. At least, for Android users. According to the announcement today, the Android and Wear OS (Google‘s smartwatch OS) versions of the app will no longer be available to download. For existing customers and subscribers the service will still be available until July 1, 2020. After that, the app will be shut down completely. Subscribers who still have an active membership to the app will receive a refund at that time.
The website is getting a change, too. Embeds on the site, weather forecasts, and maps will continue to operate until July 1, 2020. After that the site will simply be up and running enough to offer APIs and iOS app support.
And for APIs in general:
Our API service for existing customers is not changing today, but we will no longer accept new signups. The API will continue to function through the end of 2021.
As part of this transition, use of Dark Sky by Apple is subject to the Apple Privacy Policy, which can be found at apple.com/privacy.
Meanwhile, the Dark Sky iOS app will continue to function without any changes or shut downs.
This is pretty big news! Especially for the developers at Dark Sky. It will be interesting to see what happens next, not only with the standalone app, but with Apple’s stock Weather app, too. Apple’s own app uses data gathered from The Weather Channel right now. It could be exciting to see how the company evolve’s its first-party app in light of this acquisition.
What do you think of this announcement?