Apple Introduces watchOS 10: Redesigned Apps, Smart Stack, and New Features
Apple today unveiled watchOS 10, a significant update for the Apple Watch that introduces a fresh design, redesigned apps, a new Smart Stack, two new watch faces, and enhanced features for cycling, hiking, and mental health. Despite introducing several new design updates this doens’t seem like the design makeover that some hoped for. The update is set to provide users with an enhanced experience and will be available as a free software update in the fall. First beta will be available today for registered developers.
New Features:
Redesigned apps offer more information at a glance, making it easier for users to access content quickly.
The new Smart Stack allows users to view relevant widgets by simply turning the Digital Crown from any watch face. It adapts to the user's context, displaying information such as weather forecasts, boarding passes, upcoming meetings, and running apps.
Control Center is now accessible through the side button, enabling users to quickly access it over any app.
New Watch Faces:
Palette: A new artistic watch face that displays time using a wide variety of colors through overlapping layers. The colors shift as time progresses.
Snoopy: A watch face featuring beloved Peanuts characters, Snoopy and Woodstock. They interact with the watch hands, react to weather conditions, and engage in activities during workouts.
NameDrop: Users can easily share contact information by bringing Apple Watch close to someone else's iPhone.
Offline maps on iPhone provide access to turn-by-turn navigation, places in Maps, and more, even without Wi-Fi or cellular services.
Playback of FaceTime video messages is now supported on Apple Watch, and Group FaceTime audio is available.
The Medications app sends follow-up reminders if a medication hasn't been logged 30 minutes after the scheduled time.
Apple Fitness+ introduces Custom Plans, Stacks, and Audio Focus, enhancing the workout and meditation experience.
Enterprise enhancements include Mobile Device Management (MDM) support, improved productivity, and safety features.
Cycling, Hiking & Mental Health Updates
Cycling:
Automatic Workout reminders, calorimetry for e-biking, and Fall Detection are among the existing features for cyclists.
Advanced new metrics, Workout Views, and Bluetooth connectivity for power meters, speed sensors, and cadence sensors are introduced in watchOS 10.
Workout Views optimized for iPhone display provide comprehensive data, including heart rate zones, elevation, race route, custom workouts, and cycling speed.
Apple Watch can now connect to Bluetooth-enabled cycling accessories, enabling new metrics such as cycling power (watts) and cadence (RPM), and additional Workout Views.
New algorithms estimate Functional Threshold Power (FTP) and calculate personalized Power Zones to improve performance.
Hiking:
The Compass app on Apple Watch introduces two new waypoints: Last Cellular Connection Waypoint and Last Emergency Call Waypoint.
Elevation view uses altimeter data to offer a three-dimensional perspective of saved waypoints.
Apple Maps displays a new topographic map with contour lines, hill shading, elevation details, and points of interest. Users can search for nearby trails and trailheads.
Mental Health:
The Mindfulness app provides tools for users to log their momentary emotions and daily moods discreetly and conveniently.
The Health app on iOS 17 and iPadOS 17 offers valuable insights into factors contributing to users' state of mind, such as associations or lifestyle factors.
Depression and anxiety assessments are easily accessible in the Health app, helping users determine their risk level and connect to available resources.
Supported Devices
Apple’s upcoming watchOS 10 will be available for Apple Watch Series 4 or later paired with iPhone Xs or later, since iOS 17 is needed to run watchOS 10.
