Apple’s watchOS 10 is here with a number of great improvements for Apple Watch users.
We’re running down the six best features Apple announced at WWDC 2023.
1. Smart Stack
The best new feature in watchOS 10 is the Smart Stack. You can access it any time by just turning the Digital Crown from any watch face. You will then see a group of widgets that adapt to your situation. For example, Weather will be available at the start of the day to show the forecast. And when traveling, you can see boarding passes in the Wallet app.
When a meeting is on tap, Calendar will reshuffle to the top of the display. An app that is currently running, like Podcasts, will also be up top to make it easily available.
Smart Stack is a perfect way to enjoy a watch face like Portraits and still be able to quickly access the content you need.
You can now also activate Control Center from any app by just pressing the Side Button.
2. New App Design Language
The Apple Watch display is getting bigger, and Apple is taking advantage of that to unveil a new design language in watchOS 10. Stock Apple apps including Weather, Stocks, Home, Maps, Messages, World Clock, and others use more of the display to provide additional information.
Third-party developers can also use the new design for their apps. Apple showed how Streaks can use the entire display to show progress and access tasks. The NBA app uses team colors and new game details And Waterllama, one of the best apps for new Apple Watch users, shows hydration levels for the last seven days with a quick turn of the Digital Crown
3. Two New Watch Faces
The Apple Watch is well-known for its wide variety of watch faces that can be customized. And watchOS 10 is adding two new options. Palette will show the time in a wide variety of colors with three distinct overlapping layers. When the time changes, the colors on the display will also shift.
Fans of the iconic Peanuts comic strip will also be thrilled to hear about a new face featuring Snoopy and Woodstock. The characters will interact and play with the watch hands, react to weather conditions in the area, and more.
4. Improvements for Cyclists
Apple has also added new features for cyclists who use an Apple Watch in watchOS 10. When a Cycling workout is started on the watch, the data will also appear as a Live Activity on your iPhone. Tapping it will show a full screen of important data.
You can now also connect Bluetooth-enabled cycling accessories including a power meter.
5. A Better Compass App
The Compass app is adding two new waypoints to help you better manage a hike. First, the Las Cellular Connection Waypoint will estimate the last place with cellular reception. That comes in handy if you need to make a call or check messages. In an emergency, the Last Emergency Call Waypoint will estimate where on the route the device had the last connection to any available carrier’s network for an emergency call.
6. Focusing on Mental Health
The Mindfulness app is also adding more ways for anyone to better understand their emotions and moods. Turn the Digital down to scroll through shapes to choose how you are feeling You can also choose what is having the biggest impact and an area to describe feelings.
watchOS 10 Arrives Sometime This Fall
You’ll be able to officially download watchOS 10 sometime this fall after both a developer and public beta testing period. You’ll need the Apple Watch Series 4.
A Great Future for the Apple Watch
While the Smart Stack and new app design language are obviously the headlining features of watchOS 10, the overall update is great new for fans of the Apple Watch. Along with health and fitness improvements, apps can make better use of the larger display of modern Apple Watch models.