**Apple Watch OS “watchOS 10” Set to Be Released in Fall with a Fresh User Interface**
In an exciting turn of events, the highly anticipated Apple Watch OS, “watchOS 10,” is set to hit the market in the fall. This latest update brings about a major overhaul of the user interface, promising a visually enhanced experience. As a participant in Apple’s public beta testing program, I have had the privilege of getting a sneak peek into watchOS 10 and will share my initial impressions, with a focus on the revamped design and usability.
To access the watchOS 10 public beta, users will need an iPhone with the iOS 17 public beta installed, as well as one of the following Apple Watch models:
– Apple Watch Ultra
– Apple Watch Series 4 or higher
– Apple Watch SE (1st/2nd generation)
While public beta screens of watchOS are typically off-limits to the public, I have been granted special permission for this exclusive interview.
**Introducing Two Vibrant and Playful Watch Faces**
With every update to watchOS, Apple has consistently introduced new watch faces to elevate the user experience. This time, we can look forward to the addition of two exciting watch faces featuring colorful characters: “Palette” and “Snoopy.”
The Palette watch face offers a delightful blend of design and functionality. As the clock hands pass each other, the dial changes colors, creating a dynamic visual experience. Users can choose from a wide range of colors, allowing for personalized color coordination with their watch bands. Additionally, up to four complications can be set on the dial, enhancing its practicality.
Snoopy, on the other hand, brings a charming character to the watch face with playful animations. It’s nearly impossible to resist getting lost in the whimsical world of Snoopy. While Snoopy does not support complications, users can seamlessly access app information with watchOS 10’s new feature, “Smart Stack.”
**Streamlined Information Display with Smart Stack**
Smart Stack, a new feature optimized specifically for the Apple Watch, displays app information in a card-like user interface. Similar to its counterpart in iOS and iPadOS, Smart Stack allows users to effortlessly switch between different widgets throughout the day. Weather updates, activity data, heart rate, and calendar events are just a few examples of the information that can be accessed directly from the watch face by simply turning the Digital Crown. This dynamic feature ensures that relevant information is always at your fingertips.
The Smart Stack complements the artistic appeal of watch faces like Snoopy, portraits, and kaleidoscope, as it remains hidden until the Digital Crown is turned. This allows users to enjoy a visually simplified watch face, while still having quick access to the information they need. With watchOS 10, users can now revel in the beauty of a “picture” dial.
**Redesigned Apple Watch Apps**
Apple has also revamped some of its flagship apps in watchOS 10, offering a more immersive experience. The Activity, Heart, and Weather apps now sport a full-screen design that truly shines on the larger displays of the Apple Watch Series 8 and Apple Watch Ultra. Additionally, the Music app has undergone a makeover, seamlessly combining cover art and playback controls on a single screen.
When receiving calls, the Apple Watch screen now displays the photo and poster of the caller, as specified in the “My Card” feature on iOS 17. This handy update allows users to quickly identify the caller before answering.
**Revamped User Interaction with the Digital Crown and Side Buttons**
The actions assigned to hardware elements like the Digital Crown and side buttons have also undergone changes in watchOS 10.
For instance, in previous versions, the Control Center was accessed by swiping up from the bottom of the watch face or by pressing and holding the bottom of the screen, accompanied by haptic feedback, and subsequently swiping up. In watchOS 10, a single click on the side button activates the Control Center more consistently, even during activities and when the activity screen is visible.
Users can still view the list of installed apps by clicking the Digital Crown. When in the grid display mode, turning the Digital Crown enables vertical scrolling. The ability to resize icons, which was a feature of watchOS 9, has been replaced.
These changes offer third-party developers greater creative freedom in designing their apps. Developers can now make extensive use of the watch’s screen, placing information displays and icons as they see fit, while also assigning operations to the Digital Crown and side buttons. This more flexible environment opens doors for even more apps with impeccable design and functionality.
**Enhanced Outdoor App Features and Real-Time Cycling Metrics**
watchOS 10 brings improvements to the usability of outdoor apps, with a particular focus on two key areas.
First, the “Exercise” app now offers enhanced features for cycling workouts. Once you start biking, your Apple Watch will prompt you to commence exercise tracking. Automatic cycling detection was already available, but with watchOS 10 and iOS 17, this feature will be displayed as live activity on your iPhone. By securely attaching your iPhone to your bike using a holder, you can view real-time measurements on its larger screen as you pedal away.
Furthermore, cycling accessories that support Bluetooth connectivity, such as power meters, speed sensors, and cadence sensors, can now be automatically connected to the Apple Watch. While I haven’t had the opportunity to test this feature extensively, it promises to provide new metrics like power and cadence for precise cycling exercise measurements. It is worth noting that this feature can also be utilized on fitness bikes that support GymKit, so it’s definitely worth exploring at your local gym.
**Exciting New Features in the Maps App**
Another notable update in watchOS 10 is the “Maps” app. It now displays the walking radius distance or approximate walking time from a specified location directly on the screen. This enhancement makes it easier for users to gauge walking or jogging distances from their Apple Watches.
When paired with iOS 17, users can download map data for specific locations onto their iPhones and access it offline. Additionally, if your iPhone is powered on and within range of your Apple Watch, you can view the downloaded maps on your watch. Keep in mind that depending on the size of the selected area, the map data can be substantial, so it’s important to monitor your iPhone’s available storage capacity.
watchOS 10 introduces a myriad of design changes that enhance the overall Apple Watch experience. While it may take some time to adjust to new features like the Smart Stack and Control Center activation via the side button, users will undoubtedly appreciate the practical evolution. It’s worth noting that the watchOS 10 public beta is available for free, but since beta software may contain bugs and glitches, it is advisable to test it on a secondary Apple Watch and iPhone that are not your primary devices.
Author: Atsushi Yamamoto
As a seasoned journalist and writer, Atsushi Yamamoto has extensive experience in covering the latest developments in smart home appliances and the Internet of Things (IoT) in Europe. Having attended the annual electronics show “IFA” in Berlin, Germany, Yamamoto is well-versed in the field. With expertise in audiovisual technology, high-resolution music, 4K, and VOD distribution, Yamamoto covers events both in Japan and abroad, conducting numerous developer interviews. Check out the complete list of articles by this author to discover more valuable insights. Learn more about Apple Watch and stay up-to-date with the latest news on our IT news site.
My Navi News Friday, August 4, 2023 14:32
The latest Apple Watch OS “watchOS 10” will be officially released in the fall. watchOS 10 has a major change in the user interface, and the visual expression is even richer. The author, who participates in the public beta test program that Apple started in mid-July, will report on the first impressions, focusing on the points where the design and usability of watchOS 10 will be renewed.
To try the watchOS 10 public beta, you need an iPhone with the iOS 17 public beta installed and the following Apple Watch.
Apple Watch Ultra
Apple Watch Series 4 or higher
Apple Watch SE (1st/2nd generation)
Public beta screens of watchOS are prohibited from being released to the public, but this article is published with the permission of a special interview.
Added 2 colorful and fun dials
Apple has added “new watch faces” with each update to watchOS. This time, we will add a character dial featuring a colorful “Palette” and “Snoopy”.
The palette is a very easy to use dial that combines not only design but also functionality. Every time the hands of the clock pass each other, the dial changes colors. You can choose your favorite color from a wide variety of colors, so you can enjoy color coordination with the band. Up to four complications can be set.
Snoopy is a dial with an attractive character that moves funny. I forget the time just by looking at it. Background color can be customized. Although it does not support complications, you can check app information without any inconvenience if you use the new feature of watchOS 10 “Smart Stack” together.
You can organize the amount of information on the dial with the smart stack
Smart Stack is a new feature that displays watchOS app information in a card-like user interface. The smart stack of gadget functions, first installed in iOS and iPadOS, is optimized for Apple Watch. When you turn the Digital Crown on the Apple Watch dial screen, widgets show information from up to seven apps, such as weather and activities added to the smart stack, and heart rate to the calendar. Tap each widget to launch the app.
Smart Stack automatically displays appropriate information while switching widgets throughout the day, such as the weather when you wake up in the morning and the calendar when the time you registered your schedule is approaching.
Snoopy, portraits, and kaleidoscope-like Apple Watch dials want to enjoy the images with as few complications as possible. The smart stack isn’t displayed on screen unless you turn the Digital Crown, and you can quickly access the information you need, so it goes well with the artistic dial. The author, who was nervous about choosing a dial with a lot of information that can give a lot of complications, can now enjoy a simple “picture” dial with watchOS 10.
Redesigned original app
Starting with watchOS 10, some of Apple’s flagship apps have been redesigned. For example, ‘Activity’, ‘Heart’ and ‘Weather’ have a design that spreads over the entire screen and looks great on the large Apple Watch Series 8 and Apple Watch Ultra displays. Another nice evolution is the redesign of the Music app, which brings together the cover art of the currently playing song and the playback controls on a single screen.
When a call comes in, the photo and poster of the user’s contact specified in “My Card” on iOS 17 are also displayed on the Apple Watch screen, so you can immediately see who the call is from .
How to use the Digital Crown and side buttons will change!
The actions assigned to user interface operations similar to the Apple Watch hardware, such as the Digital Crown and side buttons, will change.
For example, until watchOS 9, Control Center was activated by swiping up from the bottom of the watch face, or by pressing and holding the bottom to see haptic feedback on other screens, and then swiping up. With watchOS 10 it becomes one click on the side button. Control Center now launches more consistently while you’re running and the activity screen is visible.
When you want to see what apps you have installed on your watch, you can still launch the list with one click on the Digital Crown. When the grid display is selected, turning the Digital Crown will scroll the screen vertically. watchOS 9’s ability to scale icons will change.
In this way, third-party developers other than Apple can design their apps more freely, including placing information displays and icons when using the watch screen extensively, and allocating operations using the Digital Crown and side buttons, The environment for developers will also switch from watchOS 10. From now on, it seems that there will be more apps that attract users with their perfect design and operation.
Convenient real-time cycling measurement
In addition, watchOS 10 will improve the usability of outdoor apps. This time we focused on two apps.
One is the “exercise” app. Features related to cycling workouts are easier to use. When you get on your bike and start moving, your Apple Watch will display an alert prompting you to start measuring your exercise. Automatic cycling detection has always been supported, but since the combination of watchOS 10 and iOS 17, it will be automatically displayed as live activity on the iPhone. If you use a holder to fix your iPhone to your bike, you can see the measured values calculated in real time on a large screen as you run.
In addition, cycling accessories that support a Bluetooth connection, such as power meters, speed sensors, and cadence sensors, can be automatically connected to Apple Watch. I have not been able to try this function because I only use my bike to travel to the nearby station, but new indicators such as power and cadence will be added to measure cycling exercise. It seems that this function can also be used on fitness bikes that support GymKit, so I will try to find a machine at the gym next time.
Also pay attention to the new features of the map
Another is the “Maps” app. The walking radius distance from the specified location or the approximate walking time will be displayed on the screen. It’s now easier to understand the approximate distance for walking and jogging from your Apple Watch.
With iOS 17, you can download the map data of the specified location to your iPhone and use it offline. Additionally, if your iPhone is powered on and within range of your Apple Watch, you can also check the downloaded maps on your Apple Watch. Depending on the range of the selected area, the map data is quite large, so you need to pay attention to the remaining storage capacity of the iPhone.
The new watchOS 10 includes many design changes that improve the experience of using Apple Watch. At the beginning of the introduction, you may not be able to get used to the operation as a smart stack and launch the control center with the side button, but I’m sure you will soon discover that it is a very practical evolution .
Anyone can try the watchOS 10 public beta for free. However, beta software may contain more bugs and glitches. In the worst case, the Apple Watch may stop working, so if possible, we recommend that you try it on a secondary Apple Watch and an iPhone that you don’t normally use as the primary device .
Author: Atsushi Yamamoto Journalist and writer. After working as a web editor and reporter for an audiovisual magazine, he became a freelancer. As he has been covering the electronics show “IFA” held in Berlin, Germany every year, he is familiar with the latest developments related to smart home appliances and IoT in Europe. It is well-versed in the audiovisual field, and covers a wide range of high-resolution music, 4K and VOD distribution. Using his fluency in English and French, he covers events in Japan and abroad, and conducts many interviews with developers. Click here for a list of articles by this author
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