The Apple Watch is one of the most loved smartwatches in the world and of course for good reason. It not only offers the ability to track your health and fitness, but also integrates seamlessly with your other Apple devices. It is therefore no surprise that Apple is constantly improving the functionality of the Apple Watch. The latest milestone in this area is the launch of the WatchOS 10 . In this article we take a closer look at this exciting update and what it means for Apple Watch users.
Introducing the WatchOS 10
On June 5, 2023, Apple previewed the new WatchOS 10. According to Apple, Apple Watch users can quickly view information in updated apps in a new way and use a new smart stack with relevant widgets that appear at the right time. New watch faces, apps, workouts and Bluetooth support will also be introduced
All important changes at a glance
- Release date: September 2023
- New design language and navigation
- New dials
- Cycling workout
- To walk
- Mental health
- Visual health
WatchOS 10: Renewed interface
WatchOS 10 introduces updated apps that provide quick and easy access to more extensive information. In addition, there are new ways to navigate and quickly consult content. Alan Dye, Vice President of Human Interface Design at Apple, emphasizes the importance of this new interface:
"WatchOS 10 allows users to use their Apple Watch in entirely new ways. The update makes it possible to access the most relevant information at a glance and simplifies navigation. Additionally, it introduces a new visual style that takes full advantage of the display of the Apple Watch. In addition, there is the smart stack, which quickly and proactively provides relevant information from the watch face."
Smart Stack
The Smart Stack is a striking new feature that presents information based on context. By simply turning the Digital Crown from any watch face you can gain instant access to this information. For example, in the morning the Weather widget shows the weather forecast, while you can consult boarding passes from Wallet while traveling. If you have a meeting scheduled, your calendar and reminders will appear at the top. Running apps, like Podcasts, slide up so you can use them immediately. This smart stack allows you to set a beautiful watch face, like Portraits, while quickly accessing important information.
Bidding panel
In addition to these striking changes, the control panel has also been adjusted. It's now accessible from the side button and can always be accessed quickly, even if you're already in another app. By pressing the Digital Crown twice, you can quickly return to the recently used apps.
New dials
WatchOS 10 brings creative and entertaining watch faces to the Apple Watch in the form of Palette and Snoopy. The Palette watch face presents the time in a playful color palette with three layers that dynamically overlap. As time passes, the colors undergo a vibrant transformation, creating a visually captivating effect. The new Palette watch face in watchOS 10 shows the time in a variety of colors that change with time.
Fans of the beloved Peanuts comic strip will love the new Snoopy watch face. This watch face brings the adventures of Snoopy and his faithful companion, Woodstock, to life on the Apple Watch screen. These two iconic figures move around playfully, interact with the hands, respond to current weather conditions and jump into action when you're working out. It's a fun and lively way to start and end your day with a smile.
Cycling - Workout
The Apple Watch is an excellent tool for cycling enthusiasts and watchOS 10 adds advanced new features, screens and experiences to even better support cycling activities. A cycling workout that you start on your Apple Watch will now automatically appear as a live activity on your iPhone.
When you start a cycling workout with watchOS 10 on your Apple Watch, it will now automatically appear as a live activity on your iPhone. With a simple tap you can view the activity in full screen. Workout data, such as heart rate zones, elevation, route, custom workouts and the new cycling speed view, is now optimized for your iPhone screen size. This allows you to securely attach your iPhone to your bike and easily consult it during your bike ride.
Additionally, the Apple Watch can now seamlessly connect to various Bluetooth cycling accessories, such as power meters, speedometers and cadence sensors. These connections support new measurements including cycling power (expressed in watts) and cadence (revolutions per minute). Also, additional workout data such as power zones are now displayed. These Bluetooth connections work both indoors and outdoors during your bike rides and are also compatible with the GymKit system.
Using advanced algorithms that combine data from Apple Watch with information from connected power meters, the watch can estimate your Functional Threshold Power (FTP). Based on this FTP value, the Apple Watch calculates your personal power zones. This allows you to easily view your current training zone and track how much time you spent in each zone. This is an effective and popular method to improve your cycling performance.
To walk
The Compass app on Apple Watch is a valuable companion for adventurous hikers, and with the introduction of watchOS 10, two new useful features have been added. First, the app automatically generates two new waypoints: the waypoint for the last mobile data connection and the waypoint for the last emergency call.
The last mobile data connection waypoint marks the approximate location where you last connected to mobile data. This can come in handy if you need to check your messages or make a phone call. In emergencies, the route point for the last emergency call is essential because it indicates where you were last connected to any carrier's mobile network. This allows you to quickly call the emergency number if necessary.
For those who want to prepare their routes, a new elevation display is now also available. This provides a 3D overview of saved waypoints, giving you a clear picture of the elevation differences on your route. In the United States, Apple Maps is expanding with a new topographic map, including contours, elevation marks, detailed elevation data, and points of interest. It allows you to easily search for hiking trails and starting points for hiking trails, and provides you with detailed information about the route, such as length, type and difficulty. This makes the Compass app on Apple Watch an even more valuable tool for outdoor adventures.
Mental health
Mental health deserves just as much attention as physical health. According to research from Apple, awareness of your emotional state and resilience has been shown to have a positive impact on your well-being. In watchOS 10, the Mindfulness app provides a convenient and discreet way to track your emotions and daily moods. By simply turning the Digital Crown, you can scroll through attractive, multi-dimensional interfaces and indicate how you're feeling, what has the biggest impact on your mood and what emotions you're experiencing.
For even deeper insights into the influences on your mood, there's the Health app in iOS 17 and iPadOS 17. It provides valuable information to identify factors that influence your emotional well-being, such as associations or aspects of your lifestyle, such as sleep patterns and exercise. Additionally, the Health app now introduces assessments commonly used by healthcare providers to determine whether someone is showing symptoms of depression or anxiety. This allows you to assess your own risk level, consult information sources in your area and generate a PDF report that you can share with a medical specialist. This makes it easier to take the right steps towards better mental health.
Visual health
Nearsightedness, also known as myopia, is a common vision-impairing condition worldwide, according to Apple. To reduce the risk of myopia, the International Institute for Myopia recommends that children play outside for at least 80 to 120 minutes every day, according to Apple. With watchOS 10, the Apple Watch can track how much time you spend in natural daylight using the ambient light sensor. This data is available in the Health app on your iPhone or iPad.
Spending time outside not only has benefits for your eye health, but also for your overall physical and mental well-being. Children who do not have their own iPhone can pair their Apple Watch with their parents' iPhone via Family Setup. This allows parents to use the 'Health Sharing' feature to see how much time their children spend in daylight.
Staring at a screen or book from too close for long periods of time can also increase the risk of myopia. The new Screen Distance feature uses the TrueDepth camera, the same technology used for Face ID on iPad and iPhone, to encourage you to hold your device further from your face when the distance is less than 30cm for extended periods of time been.
It's also important to note that when your device is locked with a passcode, Touch ID, or Face ID, all data in the Health app, including information about your mental and visual health, is encrypted by default to ensure your privacy.
Conclusion
In Apple's latest update for the Apple Watch, we once again see that Apple has significantly improved the software of the Apple Watch. From improvements in health monitoring to smart watch faces and features that enrich your daily life, WatchOS 10 offers a range of capabilities for both new and experienced users.
Whether you're an avid exerciser eager to explore the latest fitness features, an outdoor enthusiast who enjoys tracking your activity, or simply looking for a smart and stylish companion for your everyday life, the Apple Watch with WatchOS 10 has to offer something for everyone.
We hope that this article has helped you explore the exciting world of WatchOS 10 and that you are now fully aware of the latest features and capabilities it has to offer. Stay tuned for further updates and continue to enjoy the evolution of this amazing piece of technology on your wrist. If you have any questions or would like to know more, please don't hesitate to get in touch. Thanks for reading and enjoy your Apple Watch and WatchOS 10!