Apple’s watchOS 10 introduces several exciting features to make your Apple Watch experience even better. From redefining what it means to name drop to getting new friends for Watch faces and a new eye care element, watchOS 10 has us giddy with excitement – and wit – over its new features!
Widgi.. widgi.. widgets!
One notable addition is the Smart Stack of widgets, accessible by turning the digital crown from the watch face, almost like a DJ. This stack provides quick and glanceable bubbles of information, such as weather forecasts, the latest headlines, calendar events, medication reminders, and boarding passes. It leverages machine learning technology to offer timely and relevant data, prioritizing widgets for active apps like Podcasts, Stopwatch, or Workout.
Kevin Lynch, Apple’s vice president of technology, describes watchOS as the most innovative operating system for wearables globally. He emphasizes its ability to revolutionize people’s perception of what a watch can accomplish. According to Lynch, watchOS 10 represents a significant milestone bringing a revitalizing approach to the Apple Watch. It features a redesigned user interface for quick access to information, delightful new watch faces, improved features for cyclists and hikers, and important health tools.
Namedrop me!
No, this isn’t about casually mentioning a celebrity’s name mid-conversation with your friends. Namedropping has a cool new definition thanks to Apple. The company has made sharing contact information with new friends effortless with its new NameDrop feature. By bringing your Apple Watch close to someone’s iPhone or holding two iPhones near each other, you can quickly exchange contact details, thanks to technology initially developed for AirDrop.
Snoopy, fetch!
Watch faces receive a playful update with the introduction of the Snoopy watch face, inspired by the Peanuts comic strip. Snoopy and Woodstock take center stage, interacting with the watch hands, responding to local weather conditions, and getting active during workouts. Additionally, a vibrant analog-style watch face called Palette displays time using an array of shifting colors.
Watch x Mental health
Apple emphasizes mental health awareness through the Mindfulness app in watchOS 10. Users can log their emotions, allowing them to track these feelings over time. The Health app in iOS 17 and iPadOS 17 provides insights into potential factors contributing to one’s state of mind, such as sleep and exercise. It even offers depression and anxiety assessments, assisting users in determining if professional help is necessary.
Look up and look out
Apple recognizes the benefits of spending time outdoors and introduces Time in Daylight in watchOS 10. This feature utilizes the ambient light sensor on the Apple Watch to measure outdoor exposure.
It’s the Apple of our i’s.
To address eye health concerns, iOS 17 and iPadOS 17 include an eye health feature called Screen Distance. It utilizes the TrueDepth camera to detect if users are holding their devices too close to their faces for extended periods, which can contribute to myopia. The feature encourages users to maintain a safe distance.
Enter the iPad clinic
iPadOS 17 introduces the Health app to Apple tablets, providing a comprehensive tool for tracking menstrual cycles, medications, and health and fitness data from Apple Watch and compatible third-party apps.
Cyclists dashboard, but minimalist
Isn’t it great that Cyclists can have a dashboard like motorists, but for a fraction of the price and a lot less hardware? That’s what you get with the new watchOS 10. Initiating a cycling workout on the Apple Watch triggers a full-screen Live Activity dashboard on the iPhone, displaying real-time data such as speed, distance, and heart rate. The update also enables automatic Bluetooth connectivity for third-party cycling accessories like power meters and sensors.
Watch your step on maps
The Maps app in watchOS 10 caters to hikers by offering a topographic view with hill shading, elevation details, and points of interest. For increased safety during outdoor adventures, the Compass app in watchOS 10 generates two emergency waypoints. The Last Cellular Connection Waypoint marks the last spot with cell service, while the Last Emergency Call Waypoint shows the nearest location within a carrier’s network for contacting emergency services.
These updates to watchOS 10 and associated apps bring an array of improvements and features to Apple Watch users, enhancing their overall experience, safety, and well-being.