watchOS 10, all about the most important update of recent years. Among the operating systems that Apple updates every year there is also watchOS. This is the system that “moves” Apple Watch and which is closely linked to iOS, the iPhone operating system. Coinciding with the presentation of iOs 17 which took place at WWDC 2023 WatchOs has arrived at version 10.
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The interest around the new operating system since the last few days was very high. According to most observers, in fact, we would have been faced with the main update of recent years.
In fact, even if watchOs 10 is not a revolution in the strict sense from a functional point of view, many things in the interface change so much as to confirm that in fact, at least from an interface point of view, there has not recently been an update as important as that which Apple will launch in the fall.
As mentioned, that watchOS 10 would have been a rather important update, with various innovations especially in the interface had been anticipated by Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman.
Until yesterday Apple had changed relatively little to its wrist operating system. In fact, since the introduction of the first Apple Watch, the graphical interface has been essentially the same, albeit with various refinements and improvements.
The most important news of Watchos 10
But with watchOS 10 this will change and it is the interface that will change. Apple would, in fact, have made a major change to the way you interact with the watch making it easier to navigate
Among the most important innovations are highlighted
- smart widgets, the most relevant ones appear at the right moment
- New watch faces
- new metrics for cycling
- new Maps and Compass Waypoints features New in watchOS 10
Proactive and dynamic widgets
Widgets were announced as one of the focal points of watchOS 10, and in fact they materialized in this way. An interface similar to the “Glances” view used in previous versions of watchOS is reintroduced.
The system hinges on the so-called Smart Collection which contains widgets that display relevant and timely information, which adapt to the user’s context and can be viewed by turning the Digital Crown in any quadrant.
“For example – Apple says – at the beginning of the day Weather will show forecasts or, when the user is on the road, Smart Collection will display boarding passes from Wallet. Calendar and Reminders rearrange at the top to show upcoming appointments or tasks.
To access the Control Center you must press the side key and to return to the app you were using, simply press the Digital Crown twice.
New app interface for larger screens
The interface has been changed to accommodate the new larger displays. In particular that of Apple Watch Ultra but also those of Apple Watch 7. The current layout was born for screens (312 x 390 pixels at 326 ppi) which are no longer used in the new models today. For example, the 45mm Apple Watch 8 has a 352 x 430 pixel screen but even the smallest of the displays is 324×394 pixels. Apple Watch Ultra has a 410×502 pixel screen.
Apps now show more information at a glance and have streamlined navigation and a new visual language that takes full advantage of the Apple Watch display.
Some examples are applications such as Weather, Stocks, Home, Maps, Messages and Local Times. The Activity app on Apple Watch and the Fitness app on iPhone make it easier to track your daily physical activity with more detail, improvements for sharing, a redesigned trophy case and tips from the Apple Fitness+ team of trainers.
Developers will be able to take advantage of the new design language to update their apps. For example, Streaks will now use the full display to clearly show progress and access activities, the NBA app will make it easier to follow your favorite team with team colors and new game details, and with the app Waterllama you can monitor your hydration level for the last seven days on the fly by simply turning the Digital Crown.
New watch faces
Speaking of dials, the rumors pointed to an important novelty: the opening to third-party dials but this was not the case. However, two new dials arrive: Palette and Snoopy.
The Palette dial shows the time in a wide range of colors using three distinct superimposed levels: the colors also change over time
In Snoopy the beloved Peanuts character comes to life with a new dial featuring Snoopy and Woodstock. The characters interact and play with the hands, react to local weather conditions and move with the user when training.
Training news
WatchOs 10 introduces important innovations in two training modes: bicycle and trekking
Novelty bike training
With WatchOs 10, when you start a cycling workout, it is automatically shown as a real-time activity on the iPhone and, when the user taps, it will use the entire screen. Training Views, like Heart Rate Zones, Elevation, Route Challenge, Custom Workouts and the new Bike Speed view, have been optimized for your iPhone display, which can be attached to your handlebars to keep an eye on your metrics while riding. ‘training.
Apple Watch can automatically connect to Bluetooth cycling accessories, such as power meters, speed sensors, and cadence sensors. This gives you access to new metrics, including power (watts) and cadence (RPM), and other Training Views, including the Power Zone view. Bluetooth connection is supported for indoor and outdoor bike workouts, as well as GymKit.
New algorithms combine data from Apple Watch sensors and connected power meters to produce an estimate of functional threshold power (FTP), a fundamental metric in cycling: the maximum intensity level a user can theoretically maintain for one hour.
With this metric, Apple Watch calculates custom power zones that allow you to easily view your current zone and monitor the duration of each zone, a popular and effective way to improve performance.
Trekking training news
When trekking, the Compass application with watchOs 10 Compass automatically generates two new waypoints. The first shows an estimate of the point where the last cellular connection was detected, useful for checking messages or making a phone call and possibly returning to the point where you can call.
The waypoint of the last emergency call, on the other hand, shows an estimate of the point at which the device detected the last connection to an operator’s network: in this way it is possible to alert someone in case of need.
There’s also a new Elevation view that shows a three-dimensional view of saved waypoints. The Maps app displays a new topographical map with contour lines, relief, elevation details, and points of interest. This feature will initially be available only in the United States.
You can also search for nearby routes and trails, with maps showing detailed information, such as the length, type and difficulty of the route.
You also get notifications when you pass a certain altitude point.
Health news
WatchOs 10 introduces two innovations in the field of health.
With the Mindfulness app in watchOS 10, the user can simply and discreetly record the emotions he feels at the moment and the moods of the day. By turning the Digital Crown, he can scroll through different multidimensional and engaging shapes, and choose the one that best represents how he feels, define what affects his mood the most and describe his emotions.
Additionally, in the Health app, you can now access depression and anxiety ratings often used in medicine to help you determine your level of risk, connect with resources available in your area, and create a PDF to share with others. the doctor.
WatchOs 10 also lends a hand in reducing the risk of myopia. Apple Watch will be able to measure time spent in daylight, thanks to the sensor that detects ambient light, allowing it to comply with the indications of the International Myopia Institute which recommends that children spend at least 80-120 minutes a day outdoors .
Time spent in daylight offers additional physical and mental health benefits for all ages. If a boy or girl doesn’t own an iPhone, they can use Family Setup to pair their Apple Watch with their parent’s iPhone, so they can see how much time their kids spend outdoors with Health Sharing.
WatchOs 10 and Apple viewer
The launch of the Apple viewer, which is called Apple Vision Pro, will have a repercussion on the entire Apple ecosystem. How it can affect the world of Apple Watch we don’t know but it is certain that somehow the two devices will have to interact.
Even if it seems that the AR viewer is not destined, in fact, to necessarily depend on another device (as the Apple Watch depends on the iPhone), Apple will hardly miss the opportunity to make Reality Pro easier and more attractive to those who has already chosen another of his products.
For example, Apple Watch could function as a remote control or extension for apps, operate with wrist vibrations that match or complement visual cues, and so on.
If so, Watch Os 10 will have to bring some viewer management elements inside.
watchOS 10 compatibility
Of course, there is also compatibility to deal with. Just as not all iPhones are compatible with iOS updates, watchOS 10 will not be installable on all Apple watches either.
Apple has confirmed that the watchOS 10 update will be compatible with Apple Watch Series 4 and later, as it was for watchOS 9.
Launch date
watchOS 10 was unveiled at the WWDC23 keynote on June 5. The operating system is already available to developers in a beta version.
The definitive release of watchOS 10 will take place, however, in the autumn precisely in conjunction with the launch of new Apple Watch models.
