The Apple Watch experience is getting even better with the recently announced watchOS 8.
We're highlighting everything you need to know about watchOS 8 and how it will change your daily interactions with the wearable device.
A New Portraits Watch Face and Revamped Photos App
Watch faces are a popular way for anyone to customize their Apple Watch. And Apple is adding a great new option with watchOS 8.
As you could probably tell by the name, the Portraits watch face uses the unique Portrait photos shot on an iPhone. The watch face will recognize a face and crop to highlight the subject as the background is blurred.
You can use the Digital Crown on an Apple Watch to zoom in on the subject, even making the time slide behind part of them for a 3D effect.
And it's even easier to see your memories with a revamped Photos app. Just like on the iPhone, the watch version will now show Memories and Featured Photos that will change daily. In the Memories view, a mosaic grid will provide an even better look at all of your treasured images.
As a nice touch, you can also share specific photos directly from the app using Messages or Mail.
The Breathe App Becomes Mindfulness
The Breathe app is a great way to take a few minutes out of your day to relax and recharge. And Apple is making it even better in watchOS 8.
Now called Mindfulness, the app brings more ways to recharge. It now features a new session type—Reflect. This will show you a prompt to help put you in a more positive state of mind in as short a time as just a minute.
One example is "Reflect on one thing you're grateful for and think about why you appreciate it so much."
Breathe takes a step forward as well with new visualizations and tips. After ending both session types, you'll see a summary of your daily Mindful Minutes and average heart rate.
Say Hello to the Find My and Find Items Apps
Apple is making it easy to find your Apple devices and more in watchOS 8 with the addition of two new apps—Find Items and Find Devices.
Find Items will show you the location of any items on the Find My network, including AirTags. You can see the item's last known location, play a sound, enable Lost Mode, and more.
Find Devices will show the location of your Apple devices like an iPhone, iPad, or Mac. Just like in Find Items, you can see the exact location and enable Lost Mode.
Better Ways to Communicate
Apple has also added a plethora of great new features to the Messages app on the watch. When composing a message, you can use Scribble, Voice Dictation, and emoji all within a single message.
Any message created with Voice Dictation can also be edited before sending,
You can select a word or phrase for even more fun and select from a trending GIF to add to a message.
And instead of having to fumble for your iPhone to find a phone number, the Contacts app has made its way to the Apple Watch. You can browse, add, and edit contacts and even share information from the app.
New Workout Types, a Redesigned Home App, and More
Here are some of the other new features to expect from watchOS 8:
- While using the Sleep app, the Apple Watch will also track your sleeping respiratory rate. You can view the information and trends over time in the Health app.
- Apple Watch's Wallet app will gain the same features added in iOS 15 including the ability to save ID cards and keys.
- The Home app is redesigned to allow quicker access to smart home accessories and scenes along with the ability to control accessories by room. You can now also view any HomeKit camera on the app and use the Intercom feature to broadcast a message to your home.
- Apple has added two additional workout types in the workout app—Tai Chi and Pilates.
- Additional Apple apps now support the always-on display found in Series 5 and later models. Those apps include Maps, Mindfulness, Now Playing, Phone, Podcasts, Stopwatch, Timers, and Voice Memos. Developers will also be able to add support to their third-party apps.
- As previously announced, the AssistiveTouch accessibility feature will allow anyone to control apps and more without needing to touch the screen. Thanks to built-in motion detectors on the watch, simple hand gestures can answer incoming calls, control an on-screen motion pointer, and more.
- The Music app is redesigned and allows you to share songs, albums, and playlists through Messages and Mail.
- Apple's stock Weather app on the watch supports severe weather notifications and next-hour precipitation alerts. There are also new complications for the app to add to a watch face.
- You can now set multiple timers on the Apple Watch. A Siri command can add a specific label.
What Apple Watch Models Will Run watchOS 8?
If you have a relatively new Apple Watch, you'll be able to use watchOS 8. The software is compatible with the following models:
- Apple Watch Series 6
- Apple Watch Series 5
- Apple Watch Series 4
- Apple Watch Series 3
- Apple Watch SE
When Will watchOS 8 Arrive to the General Public?
The first beta version of watchOS 8 was released to developers after the WWDC keynote. The software will continue to go through a number of beta testing releases.
Apple also said that a public beta of watchOS 8 arrive will arrive to anyone interested starting in July.
If you join the public beta program, definitely expect some hiccups, bugs, and other issues with your Apple Watch. But it's a great way to try out the next generation of watchOS software early.
The software should officially be available to the general public in the fall, usually coinciding with the introduction of a new Apple Watch model.
Making the Apple Watch Even Better
With watchOS 8, Apple isn't reinventing the Apple Watch experience. But all of the new features and changes continue to make using the wearable more natural.
And watchOS 8 isn't the only new software to look forward to this fall. Apple's iOS 15 features a host of new features and other improvements as well.