Throughout Apple‘s WWDC keynote event at this time in Cupertino, firm execs introduced, amongst many other things, the most recent Apple Watch software program: watchOS 12, er, watchOS 26. Like iOS, macOS, iPadOS and the remainder, the most recent technology of watchOS will now be appended with the upcoming year, as an alternative of a sequential quantity. What would have been watchOS 12, is now watchOS 26.
Other than the brand new title, there is a new search for watchOS, too. Apple gave its total suite of software program a redesign, one which takes aesthetic cues and attracts on the “physicality and richness” of visionOS, the software program used within the firm’s VR headset, the Vision Pro. It is the most important redesign since iOS 7. The look known as “liquid glass” and dynamically reacts to motion and responds to the content material on display screen. Menus will higher match to the rounded corners of the {hardware}. Notifications and different info now contain translucent backgrounds, giving the interface a glass-like look.
The watchOS 26 additionally brings new options together with Exercise Buddy, an AI that can verbally discuss you thru your subsequent run whereas additionally congratulating you in your accomplishments. The text-to-speech mannequin is constructed on the voices of Health+ trainers and attracts on information out of your Exercise and Well being historical past. This is without doubt one of the first important functions of Apple Intelligence to the Apple Watch. Exercise Buddy would require an Apple Intelligence-supported iPhone close by together with Bluetooth headphones linked to your watch.
Apple Intelligence upgrades will even make the Sensible Stack extra helpful with a predictive algorithm that gathers info resembling your location, time of day and routine to higher carry up related apps within the Stack. The instance given was exhibiting you a exercise card if you arrive on the gymnasium within the morning.
Along with the general “liquid glass” revamp, the Exercise app itself is getting a redesign with new buttons in every nook that ought to make it simpler to customise your exercises. The app also can choose an Apple Music playlist in your behalf based mostly on the exercise and your latest listening historical past.
Apple’s AI will make Messages smarter in watchOS 26. Now, an evaluation of your incoming messages will generate steered replies, increasing on the present suite of fast replies — that means you may very well need to use one of many canned responses. That ought to make it simpler to speak with out puling out your cellphone. That is at present solely out there for units with the language set to English.
Live Translation can be coming to Apple Watch. Incoming messages shall be routinely displayed in your most well-liked language — and your outgoing messages will likewise translate for the particular person you are chatting with.
A few minor, however enjoyable, updates embody a redesigned watch face gallery and an up to date Pictures face that focuses on Featured content material out of your Pictures library.
A brand new gesture will even allow you to dismiss messages — or different notifications — that you simply’re not able to cope with by flicking your wrist. A fast twist of your wrist away from you and again will return you to the watch display screen. The wrist flick is accessible on the Sequence 9, Sequence 10 and Apple Watch Extremely 2.
This newest suite of options be part of these introduced throughout last year’s WWDC, wherein Apple previewed watchOS 11. The perfect of the bunch (for me anyway) was the flexibility to pause your Rings for a day within the Exercise app. Different options included a Coaching Load metric that charges your efforts throughout train, evaluating it along with your output over time, and the Vitals app, which tracks in a single day well being metrics for many who put on their watch to mattress.
Comparatively, the brand new options for watchOS 26 appear a bit extra substantial than final yr, notably now that we’re lastly seeing Apple Intelligence making its method onto the wearable. Mixed with the brand new liquid glass redesign, the brand new replace feels important this yr, above only a normal refresh.
The most recent Apple Watch software program shall be out there to those that are a part of Apple’s Beta software program beginning subsequent month. Developers could have entry staring at this time. Everybody else ought to see watchOS 26 as a free software program replace this fall. It’s going to be out there for Apple Watch Sequence 6 or later, Apple Watch SE (2nd technology), and each Apple Watch Extremely fashions. The replace requires a paired iPhone 11 or later working iOS 26, however the options that depend on Apple Intelligence (Exercise Buddy, Dwell Translation) would require a paired iPhone 15 Professional or Max or any iPhone 16.
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