Many of the new features coming to watchOS 11 are fitness-focused, with a new workout upload feature for the Activities app, pregnancy stats in Cycle Tracking, and a new Vitals app. Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) on Monday showed off everything we can expect when the operating system update arrives for Apple Watches this fall.
The new app, Vitals, synthesizes data collected overnight to give you a better understanding of your overall health. The Apple Watch sensors will monitor details like heart rate, wrist temperature, and breathing and combine them with data from the x&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.apple.com%2Fnewsroom%2F2023%2F10%2Fnew-apple-research-highlights-the-health-benefits-of-pickleball%2F” class=”link rapid-with-clickid etailiffa-link” rel=”nofollow noopener” target=”_blank” data-ylk=”slk:Apple Heart and Movement study;elm:affiliate_link;sellerN:Apple;elmt:;cpos:1;pos:1;itc:0;sec:content-canvas”>Apple Heart and Movement Study so it can track changes over time and alert you when things seem out of their normal range. From what we've seen, Apple Watch batteries (outside of the Ultra model) don't last overnight after a full day of use, so it will be interesting to see how useful the new app will prove to be.
The Activity app is getting some new capabilities, including Training Load, which measures the intensity and duration of your workout to see how it affects you over time. Using GPS data, sensor metrics like heart rate and pace, as well as your personal data like age and weight, the app will determine a score for each workout from one (easy) to 10 (full). And if you don't agree with the assessment, you can adjust it manually. In a post-workout summary, you can see if you're training above or below your average.
The Workout app inside Apple Watch will now include a Check In button to let your friends and family know when you leave and return home safely from a run.
With your iPhone, you can also set up more customizations in the Activity app. Now you can adjust your goals for the day of the week and set rest days while still maintaining your streaks. The iPhone Fitness app summary screen can also be customized.
The Cycle Tracking app can now provide you with information during pregnancy, showing applicable health data while tracking the duration of your pregnancy. This includes a look at your heart rate, which typically increases during pregnancy, as well as a timeline of gestational age. Walking stability alerts during the third trimester can also help you avoid falling problems that sometimes arise. Mental health will also receive attention, with reminders to complete monthly assessments to keep you aware of issues that can be triggered by pregnancy and postpartum conditions, such as depression.
Smart Stack, the running list of active app widgets you access by swiping up from the bottom of the screen, is also getting some updates. Now, instead of just active apps, Smart Stack will include time-sensitive widgets, such as precipitation alerts before it rains or the translation widget when traveling. That alerted us to the fact that the Translate app is coming to the Apple Watch, with translation support for 20 languages. Live activities and registration are also coming to Smart Stack.
Apple is opening access to Smart Stack to third parties. So, for example, you'll see your Uber arrive in the widget carousel. Developers will also have access to the Double Tap feature, for hands-free interaction with more apps.
If you like the Photos watch face, there is also good news here. Machine learning models will help you find the best photos to feature by identifying and rating images of your friends and family based on facial expressions and image composition. You can even crop and frame them automatically.
Almost as an afterthought, Apple also mentioned the arrival of turn-by-turn directions for hikes and walking routes that you created yourself.
If you feel like trying out the new features for yourself, you can do so next month if you're part of Apple. beta software program. The developers gained access from the announcement. And for everyday people, watchOS 11 will be available as a free software update this fall for Apple Watch Series 6 and later.
Catch up here to find out all the news from Apple WWDC 2024.
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