Apple releases watchOS 10.1 with two major features

Introduction

Simultaneously with the release of iOS 17.1, Apple has finally released the highly anticipated update to watchOS 10, which is no other than watchOS 10.1. The latter brings two major updates to the Apple Watch. Apart from the introduction of NameDrop on the Apple Watch, the other major new feature is Double Tap. The latter happens to be the one feature that practically differentiates the latest Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 from the previous generations of Apple Watch models.

New Features

Double Tap & My Card

Gestures can make the Apple Watch easier to use when your hands are full. Double tapping your index finger and thumb together allows you to answer a call, open a notification, play and pause music, stop a timer, reply to a message and many more. Double Tap is only available on the Apple Watch Ultra 2 and the Apple Watch Series 9.

Apple is also adding My Card as a complication for quick access to NameDrop. This is a really useful complication if you need to exchange you personal information regularly, eg when attending events.

NameDrop

NameDrop allows users to exchange contact information with someone new by simply bringing your Apple Watch near an iPhone running iOS 17 or an Apple Watch running watchOS 10.1 or later. NameDrop is available on the Apple Watch Series 7 and later, the Apple Watch Ultra 1 & 2 and the Apple Watch SE 2.

Other Improvements & Bug Fixes

• Fix for bug that causes the climate section in the Home app to be blank

• Addresses an issue that causes a white selection border to be unexpectedly displayed after turning off AssistiveTouch

• Fixes an issue where cities may not sync between iPhone and watch in Weather

• Resolves an issue where the scroll bar may unexpectedly be visible on the display

• Fix for bug that causes elevation to be incorrect for some users