Ondrej Holzman Apple unveiled a new version of its watch operating system at WWDC. The biggest new feature of watchOS 3 is the much faster launch of apps, which has been one of the biggest shortcomings of the watch until now. The Apple Watch will also be able to convert finger-written text and new watch faces are coming.
Using third-party apps in particular has been very inconvenient on the Apple Watch until now. Applications took long seconds to load, and the user often managed to perform the same action faster on the phone in his pocket than on his wrist. But in watchOS 3, popular apps will launch immediately.
By pressing the side button, the user will get to the new dock, where the recently used and favorite applications will be sorted. It is these applications that will start immediately, also thanks to the ability to refresh data in the background. As soon as you start the application, you will get into it immediately and at the same time you will have current data in it.
From the bottom of the screen in watchOS 3 comes the improved Control Center that we know from iOS, the Notification Center continues to come from the top, and you can change the watch faces by swiping left or right. Apple added several of them to watchOS 3, for example the female version of the popular Mickey Mouse - Minnie. More applications can also be launched directly from the watch face, such as News or Music.
It will now be possible to reply to messages from the wrist in a way other than the presented reply or dictating the text. You'll be able to write your message with your finger and Apple Watch will automatically convert the handwritten words to text.
Apple has prepared an SOS function for crisis situations. When you press and hold the side button on the watch, emergency services are automatically called via iPhone or Wi-Fi. For wheelchair users, Apple has optimized the functioning of fitness apps – instead of notifying the user to stand up, the watch will notify the wheelchair user that he should take a walk.
The function of sharing your results with friends is also associated with exercise and an active lifestyle, which Apple Watch users have been missing for a long time. Now you can compete with your family members or friends remotely. The Activity app is directly connected to Messages, so you can easily challenge your friends.
The completely new Breathe application then helps the user to stop for a moment and take a deep and proper breath. The user is guided by haptic feedback and soothing visualization.
WatchOS 3 will be available for Apple Watch in the fall. Developers will get access to the first test version as early as today, but it seems that Apple is not yet planning a public beta for the watch OS like iOS or macOS.
A public beta will probably be available later. And it will require installing the iOS 10 public beta. It's been that way before.
I wonder what effect background updating will have on the battery…
I expect it to be like the iPhone, i.e. for all-day use. Now I have 30-60% battery left all day, then I expect 0-30%.
In contrast to macOS and iOS, a relatively decent update.
Well, it's great that acceleration is coming, speed is not something the watch can brag about yet..
Probably the only thing I'm looking forward to and where it will be a leap forward and not just catching up with the competition.