Apple has just revealed watchOS 10 at WWDC 2023. The latest version of the wearable software brings redesigned apps, a new Smart Stack, and new tools to help with Mental Health.
This comes alongside the latest software updates to iOS, iPadOS, and macOS. Additionally, Apple unveiled the M2 Ultra, M2-powered MacBook Air, Apple-silicon-powered Mac Studio and Mac Pro, and the all-new Apple Vision Pro spatial computer.
“watchOS is the world’s most advanced wearable operating system, and it has redefined how people all over the world think of what a watch can do. watchOS 10 is a major milestone and an energizing new approach for Apple Watch, introducing a fresh new design for quickly viewing information, delightful new watch faces, new features for cyclists and hikers, and important tools for health.”
Kevin Lynch, Apple Vice President of Technology
watchOS 10
New Design Language and Navigation
The latest version of watchOS has redesigned apps that provide more information at a glance and new ways to navigate and quickly access the content.
Apps like Weather, Stocks, Home, Maps, Messages, World Clocks, and more now utilize more of the Apple Watch display for more glanceable information. Additionally, the Activity app on Apple Watch and the Fitness app on iPhone make tracking daily movement even easier with more details.
A new Smart Stack contains widgets that display timely information that adapts to the user’s context and can be revealed with a simple turn of the Digital Crown.
Additionally, Control Center is now accessible using the side button, making it easy to quickly open it at any time.
Mental Health
Mental is as important as physical health and with the Mindfulness app in watchOS 10, you can discreetly and conveniently log your momentary emotions and daily moods.
You can turn the Digital Crown to scroll through engaging, multidimensional shapes to choose how you’re feeling, select what is having the biggest impact on you, and describe how you feel.
Moreover, the Health app in iOS 17 and iPadOS 17 will give you valuable insights to identify what might be contributing to your state of mind. Assessments on depression and anxiety often used in clinics are also now easily accessible in the Health app and help you determine your risk level and connect to resources available in your region.
Vision Health
Myopia or nearsightedness is the leading cause of vision impairment globally. To help reduce the risk of myopia, the International Myopia Institute recommends children spend at least 80-120 minutes a day outdoors.
With watchOS 10, Apple Watch introduces the ability to measure time spent in daylight using the ambient light sensor. The information can be viewed via the Health app on the iPhone or iPad.
Time spent in daylight can provide additional benefits to physical and mental health for all ages. Children who don’t have their own iPhones can use Family Setup to pair their Apple Watch to their parent’s iPhones.
Other watchOS 10 features include:
- New Watch Faces
- Cycling features
- Hiking features
- Share contact information by bringing Apple Watch close to someone’s iPhone via NameDrop
- Initiate playback of a FaceTime video message and view it directly on Apple Watch
- The Medications app can send follow-up reminders if a medication hasn’t been logged 30 minutes after the scheduled time
To learn more about the watchOS 10, click here.
The developer beta of watchOS 10 is now available to Apple Developer Program members, while a public beta will be available next month.
watchOS 10 will be available this fall as a free software update for Apple Watch Series 4 or later paired with iPhone Xs or later running iOS 17.
Ram found his love and appreciation for writing in 2015 having started in the gaming and esports sphere for GG Network. He would then transition to focus more on the world of tech which has also began his journey into learning more about this world. That said though, he still has the mentality of "as long as it works" for his personal gadgets.
