WatchOS 7: Why the brand new Apple Watch modifications matter and the way you will use them

Apple revealed WatchOS 7 throughout its WWDC keynote final week, displaying off a number of the new options that can come to the subsequent model of the software program that can energy the Apple Watch. The replace is not anticipated to ship till this fall, and is at present solely available as a developer beta. We’re eyeing three new options specifically that can without end change how you utilize your Apple Watch. 

The Apple Watch may also obtain some minor however doubtlessly helpful options. For instance, a new hand-washing feature will begin a countdown timer when it detects motion related to somebody washing their palms, to be sure to get your 20 seconds in. There’s additionally a new dance workout as a part of Apple’s health monitoring that can depend each calorie when you bust a transfer.

More importantly, WatchOS 7 will change the way you have a look at your Apple Watch ($399 at Apple), the way you work together with it at bedtime and even the way you model the watch face by downloading or sharing customized faces with a few faucets.

1. WatchOS not limits watch face problems 

What it’s: Apple permits third-party builders and Apple Watch homeowners to position small items of data, or problems, on a watch face. You can, for instance, have a watch face that reveals your day by day agenda, the upcoming climate report from Dark Sky and a shortcut to the Messages app in your favourite watch face. But up till now, you’ve got been restricted to utilizing only one complication from the identical app on any watch face. 

Why it issues: Apple Watch homeowners and builders have needed a approach to place a number of problems from the identical app on one watch face. For instance, you may see Dark Sky’s present temperature complication plus the weekly forecast on the identical face. 

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WatchOS 7: What’s new on the Apple Watch?

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How you will use it: Editing your watch faces and including problems seems to be to be performed the identical manner because it all the time has, however with an improved interface that is simpler to navigate. App names and complication previews appear like they’re simpler to view and choose from. 

You can long-press on a watch face to enter Edit mode, swipe to the left throughout the face, faucet the complication location you need to edit, then make your choice from the listing. 

Alternatively, it is best to have the ability to proceed enhancing and creating watch faces from inside the Watch app in your iPhone ($699 at Apple). 

2. WatchOS 7 can monitor your sleep

What it’s: A brand new Sleep app on the Apple Watch is not going to solely monitor how lengthy and nicely you sleep, however it’ll additionally provide help to wind down as your goal bedtime will get close to. 

Why it issues: Fitbit and different competing health trackers have had built-in sleep monitoring for years, however the Apple Watch has lacked an official app. With the addition of sleep monitoring, Apple Watch homeowners can have extra information to consider about their total well being. 

How you will use it: After updating to WatchOS 7, you will must arrange the Sleep app, set your bedtime and a day by day alarm. After the preliminary setup, your cellphone will present a Wind Down display screen and activate Do Not Disturb proper earlier than your goal bedtime. At bedtime, your iPhone display screen will dim and your watch will swap to the Sleep watch face. Keep your watch on when you sleep, and within the morning you’ll view how nicely you slept and for the way lengthy proper on the watch. There’s even a battery meter that reminds you to cost your watch within the morning. 

3. Find and share customized watch faces

What it’s: WatchOS 7 provides the flexibility for Apple Watch homeowners and app builders to create and share their very own watch faces, together with customized complication layouts and designs. 

Why it issues: Instead of spending numerous hours going by way of watch faces and trying to find apps with problems that you simply like, you’ll quickly have entry to numerous new faces that include a listing of the apps that you must set up with the intention to full the look. 

How you will use it: Fellow Apple Watch homeowners will have the ability to submit their favourite preparations on-line or ship them on to you thru iMessage. Developers will have the ability to submit direct hyperlinks to their watch faces so that you can set up as nicely. 

When you faucet on a hyperlink so as to add the watch face to the Watch app in your iPhone, you will see a preview of it after which be introduced with a listing of the app problems used to create it, full with direct hyperlinks to obtain these apps so your new face is not left with clean complication spots. 

Sharing a watch face you created seems to be prefer it’s at present performed within the Watch app or immediately from the watch itself.

Apple additionally introduced iOS 14 and iPadOS 14, and released a developer preview. The replace consists of loads of new options, with main modifications to the iPhone’s home screen, together with tweaks to Siri and Messages.