Apple has announced its newest wearable operating system, WatchOS 10, at the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC). The latest iteration of WatchOS brings a redesigned interface and apps, a new Smart Stack to display relevant widgets, and new watch faces. The update will be available in beta version for developers today, while a public release is expected later this fall.
The redesigned interface and apps of WatchOS 10 provide new ways to navigate and access content quickly. Apple Watch apps like Weather, Stocks, Home, Maps, Messages, World Clock, and others now utilise more of the display. The Activity app on Apple Watch and the Fitness app on iPhone have been revamped to monitor daily movement.
New Metrics and Workout Views
WatchOS 10 adds new metrics and Workout Views for fitness enthusiasts. The cycling workout will be shown as a Live Activity on iPhone. Apple has optimised Workout Views for the display size of the iPhone. The latest update enables Apple Watch to automatically connect to Bluetooth-enabled cycling accessories, like power meters, speed sensors, and cadence sensors.
For hikers, WatchOS 10 introduces new features such as a Last Cellular Connection Waypoint and the Last Emergency Call Waypoint to estimate the route the device had the last connection to any available carrier’s network. Apple Maps will begin displaying a new topographic map with contour lines, hill shading, elevation details, and points of interest in the US. Users can also search for nearby trails and trailheads.
Mood and Emotion Tracking Capabilities
With WatchOS 10’s new Maps capabilities, hikers can see trails and trailhead info directly from their wrist. Apple Watch is also getting support for mood and emotion tracking capabilities with the latest update. Apple has introduced a Mindfulness app in the latest version of the operating system, allowing wearers to log their momentary emotions and daily moods. Users can scroll through the Digital Crown through different shapes to choose how they are feeling and describe their feelings.
Meanwhile, with the assistance of an ambient light sensor, Apple Watch can now measure the time spent in daylight. This detail will appear in the Health app on iPhone or iPad. Kids can use Family Setup to pair their Apple Watch to their parent’s iPhone units.
New Watch Faces and Widgets
The watchOS 10 adds Widgets, but instead of cluttering up the home screen, they will be available through a Smart Stack. Turning the digital crown will open the widget stack, and users can scroll through them for quick data. The side button can be used to access the Control Center, and a double-click of the Digital Crown reverts back to any apps used recently. This time, Apple is adding two new watch faces — Palette and Snoopy — to its wearable. The former displays time in different colours using three distinct overlapping layers.
Announcement of tvOS 17
Alongside iOS 17, iPadOS 17, macOS 14, and WatchOS 10, Apple has also announced tvOS 17. The latest software brings FaceTime to the Apple TV and adds Dolby Vision 8.1 support. With tvOS 17, Apple TV 4K users can initiate calls directly from Apple TV through the FaceTime app or start calls on iPhone or iPad and hand them off to Apple TV.
In summary, WatchOS 10 is packed with new features and capabilities, including a redesigned interface and apps, new metrics and Workout Views, mood and emotion tracking capabilities, new watch faces and widgets, and more. With the latest update, Apple is starting to pay attention to users’ mental wellness, and hikers and fitness enthusiasts will find the new features particularly useful.
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