watchOS has been very focussed on health and well-being for most of its life. But with watchOS 10, Apple has started a push into business uses while broadening its health and well-being vision.
New features and enhancements coming in watchOS 10
Cycling and hiking updates: Apple has enhanced the cycling and hiking apps. Cyclists get calorimetry for e-biking, and Fall Detection. When a cycling workout is started from Apple Watch in watchOS 10 it will automatically show up as a Live Activity on iPhone so you can use the full screen with new Workout Views that show Heart Rate Zones, Elevation, Race Route, Custom Workouts, and a new Cycling Speed view for when you have an iPhone mounted on your bike.
Hikers get some new safety features with automatic waypoint recording in case you get lost and Emergency Call Waypoint that will estimate where on the route your device had a connection to any available carrier’s network so that an emergency call can be made.
Shortsightedness: Apple says the International Myopia Institute recommends children spend at least 80-120 minutes a day outdoors. watchOS 10 will measure time spent in daylight using the ambient light sensor. And a new Screen Distance feature will use the TrueDepth camera that powers Face ID in iPad and iPhone to encourage users to move their device farther away after holding it closer than 30 centimetres for an extended period of time.
Workplace safety: Apple Watch offers enterprise customers features to enhance productivity and safety in the office or in the field with features such as hands-free communication, responding to notifications on the go, or Fall Detection on a job site.
Other useful watchOS 10 enhancements:
- NameDrop allows users to easily share contact information by bringing Apple Watch close to someone else’s iPhone. Apple Watch users can also use NameDrop by tapping the Share button in My Card in the Contacts app, or by tapping the My Card watch face complication, and then bringing Apple Watch face to face with someone else’s Apple Watch.4
- Offline maps on iPhone provide access to turn-by-turn navigation, estimated time of arrival, places in Maps, and more while away from Wi-Fi or cellular services. These features can also be used on a paired Apple Watch that is in range of its companion iPhone.
- Users can now initiate playback of a FaceTime video message and view it directly on Apple Watch. Additionally, Group FaceTime audio is now supported on Apple Watch.
- The Medications app can send follow-up reminders if a medication hasn’t been logged 30 minutes after the scheduled time.
- New watch faces featuring Snoopy and Woodstock from the Peanuts cartoons and comics.
When can you get watchOS 10?
The developer beta of watchOS 10 is available to Apple Developer Program members at developer.apple.com starting today.
A public beta will be available to watchOS users next month at beta.apple.com.
watchOS 10 will be available this spring as a free software update for Apple Watch Series 4 or later paired with iPhone Xs or later, running iOS 17.
Anthony is the founder of Australian Apple News. He is a long-time Apple user and former editor of Australian Macworld. He has contributed to many technology magazines and newspapers as well as appearing regularly on radio and occasionally on TV.