The new version of the operating system for the Apple Watch, as expected, received significant changes that will make the Apple Watch look different. The company has completely redesigned the user interface of the smartwatch system and also brought back widgets. Initially, the Apple Watch user interface was built around Glances, a carousel of widgets for various apps and device features. The company ended up ditching that concept to focus more on apps, but now wants to make widgets an important part of the watchOS interface again.
Scrolling the wheel on the clock, users will see a set of widgets on the screen for quick access to various information. Timer, stopwatch, podcasts will be displayed as widgets when they are in use. More data can be viewed by simply turning the wheel on the watch.
The update also received the World Clock app. It now offers a dynamic background to show the time of day in different time zones. And of course, there were new dials. There are two of them in watchOS 10: one called Palette, and the second with Snoopy and his best friend Woodstock.
watchOS 10 has a special focus on mental health. Users will be able to mark their mood with abstract images, as well as take standardized control tests. In terms of fitness, there are new features that relate to cycling. For example, you can connect to bike sensors via Bluetooth and view a variety of data, including cadence and heart rate. The Compass app is also getting an update. It now automatically creates two new waypoints, and thanks to the altimeter, you can view a 3D map of these waypoints.
Another innovation is that the Apple Watch will be able to show how long the user is in daylight using the light sensor, and parents will thus be able to find out how much time their children spend outside. Now you can play FaceTime video messages right from your wrist, as well as join a group call on your Apple Watch.
Developers can already access the watchOS 10 beta, with a public release next month. watchOS 10 will be released this fall and will be supported by Apple Watch Series 4 and above.