During WWDC 2023, Apple provided a sneak peek of the upcoming watchOS 10, the latest operating system for its smartwatch lineup. This new version brings a fresh design to apps and introduces new widgets on the home screen, displaying relevant information when needed.
Apple has revamped various apps such as Weather, Home, Maps, Stocks, Messages, and World Clock, among others, to provide easily accessible information and maximize the use of the watch display.
One notable addition is the ‘Smart Stack,’ a widget-based interface that adapts to user behavior. By simply turning the Digital Crown on any watch face, users can reveal the Smart Stack. For instance, it can show the weather forecast at the beginning of the day, display calendar meetings, and provide boarding passes. The Smart Stack occupies only a portion of the watch face, allowing users to view their watch face without obstruction. Developers can also utilize the Smart Stack for their apps, such as Waterllama showing hydration status over the past week.
In watchOS 10, the Control Center can now be accessed by pressing the side button from any app, appearing as an overlay. Users can also double-click the crown to return to the previous app at any time.
Furthermore, Apple has introduced new workout metrics tailored for cyclists and hikers. When initiating a cycling workout from the Apple Watch, it automatically appears as a Live Activity on the iPhone. Tapping on it leads to a new interface presenting information like Workout Views, Heart Rate zones, Race Routes, Elevation, Custom Workouts, and the new Cycling Speed View.
With watchOS 10, Apple Watch can connect to compatible Bluetooth-enabled cycling accessories such as power meters, speed sensors, and cadence sensors. For cyclists aiming to improve their performance, personalized Power Zones display the current zone and track how much time is spent in each zone.
For hikers, watchOS 10 generates two waypoints. The ‘Last cellular connection waypoint’ estimates the location of the last area with cellular reception, while the ‘Last emergency call waypoint’ indicates the last location where an emergency call can be made.
The updated operating system also includes an Elevation view that presents a 3D visualization of saved waypoints using altimeter data. Users can search for nearby trails and trailheads, obtaining information about trail length, type, and difficulty.
Additionally, watchOS 10 introduces two new watch faces: Palette and Snoopy. Palette uses three distinct overlapping layers to display time in a variety of colors that shift as time passes. Snoopy brings the Peanuts comic strip to life with Snoopy and Woodstock interacting with the watch hands, responding to weather conditions, and becoming active during workouts.
Apple has also introduced new custom workout plans for Apple Fitness+ users, suggesting meditation schedules and workout types. The Audio Focus feature allows users to prioritize the volume of music or the trainer’s voice. Stacks enable the selection of multiple workouts and meditations back-to-back.
Another notable feature in watchOS 10 is the ability to measure the time spent in daylight using the ambient light sensor. This information can be viewed through the Health app on iPhone or iPad. In cases where children don’t have iPhones, Family Setup can be used to pair their Apple Watch and monitor their daylight exposure.
Apple has provided a list of watches that will receive the watchOS 10 update. However, not all features will be available on all devices, and certain resource-intensive features may be limited to newer models. The company plans to begin rolling out watchOS 10 in the fall.
