Apple has unveiled a new version of its smartwatch operating system, known as WatchOS 10. This tenth iteration represents a fundamental shift in user interaction with the device. The release comes just days before the launch of the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra.
Owners of Apple Watch Series 4 and newer models can download WatchOS 10 for free through the Apple Watch app on an iPhone running iOS 17. The watch must have a charge of at least 50% and be placed on the charger for the update to install.
The Apple Watch interface has been enhanced with a new focus on complications, including the Smart Stack feature. This allows users to customize a stack of complications that use machine learning to display expected information. Smart Stack can be accessed by rotating the digital crown and changing information based on context like time and location.
Now, all apps can be accessed with a single press of the digital crown, and recently used apps can be accessed by double-pressing. The Control Center can also be activated using the side button instead of a quick swipe.
Apple Watch apps have been redesigned with an information-centric approach, with renewed Maps, Messages, Activity, Heart, Home, and more. Additionally, two new watch faces have been introduced: the colorful Palette face and the Snoopy face featuring beloved animated characters.
Improved features have been added to the cycling and long-distance walking activity apps, and a new mental health experience has been introduced in the Mindness app to track your mental state. The system also allows tracking of the time spent in bright light.
Some features of WatchOS 10 have been postponed until later in the year, including the NameDrop feature for contact information sharing and the +Fitness subscription-based audio focus. As for the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra, they come with exclusive features such as the updated ultra-wideband chip and on-device Siri processing.
Trump Treads a Risky Path in His Trials
Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation: Russian Spies Spread Across America
