Everyone knows that the Apple Watch gets a major software refresh every year, and this year’s entrant is the WatchOS 10, which is coming with app redesigns, widgets, and a few extra tools for hikers and cyclists.
The last two are probably going to be very important, given the country’s economic progression.
The WatchOS 10 public beta is now available for all Apple Watches starting with the Series 4 and later. To use it, you need to install the iOS 17 public beta on your iPhone, then install the WatchOS 10 beta on your Apple Watch. This will give you a preview of some of the new features ahead of the watch’s upcoming general release.
READ MORE ON THE iOS 17 HERE: Exploring the Exciting Features of iOS 17: The Next Level iPhone Experience
However, as with all beta software, you should tread with caution. Features are liable to change between now and the final release, and you should definitely back up your iPhone and Apple Watch before installing it. Also, know that you cannot revert to WatchOS 9 after installing the public beta.
That being said, here are some of its best features:
Optimized Charging
With the WatchOS 10, the Apple Watch learns about your usage and decides when it is a good time to get to a full charge. This is called Optimized Charge Limit, and it was already included on the Apple Watch Ultra, but WatchOS 10 adds it to the SE, and Series 6, 7 and 8.
When this feature is active, you will see an open charge ring appear as the Apple Watch sits on its charger. If you want to charge beyond this optimized time, tap the circle with the green or yellow charge icon, then press “Charge to full now.” This might not appear immediately, as it takes some time to learn your charging habits. It will also only activate when you are in certain locations where you charge the Apple Watch often, like at home or work.
All Stock Apple Apps Look Better
Practically all the stock apps have been redesigned to fit more information on the screen. However, they also look significantly different in some cases:
- Activity shows rings in the middle, but you get a weekly summary, awards and challenges around the edge. You can also swipe down to see the more granular time view of your rings’ progress.
- Weather lets you tap through or turn the crown to see different views of air quality, wind speed, humidity and more.
- Messages can show pinned contact names and photos on first open, rather than the list of messages.
- Heart rate shows a new animation when reading vitals.
The redesigned Activity app.
It is also now very easy to switch between the Apple Watch list view and the bubble app view. At the bottom of either list, there is a prompt to switch to the other view. Previously, you had to do a long press or go into the Settings to switch views.
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Hello, Widgets
Apple is also introducing the widget Smart Stacks from the iPhone home screen to your Watch. It updates dynamically based on context, such as the time of day and how you use your watch. From the watch face, you simply turn the digital crown to see the Stack. You can also swipe up from the watch face.
My Smart Stack usually shows upcoming calendar appointments, the weather and my activity rings. But, just like the iOS home screen, you can customize the Stack even further with a long press and either removing or pinning apps.
WatchOS 10 also changes how you bring up the control center. Instead of swiping up from the watch face, simply press the side button. This also works when you are in any app. With older versions of WatchOS, you either had to go back to the home screen or long-press on the bottom edge of the screen when you were in another app.
However, if you prefer the dock that comes up when you press the side button in WatchOS 9 and earlier, you can still access it by double-clicking the crown.
Tools for Hikers and Cyclists
Apple has already added lots of useful cycling features to the Watch like auto-detecting bike workouts and e-bike calorie calculations. And now, with the WatchOS 10, you can turn your iPhone into a bike computer.
When you start a cycling workout on the Watch, your iPhone will automatically show a Live Activity on the lock screen. You can mount the phone on your handlebars and see all your activity metrics on the big screen, including HR zones, speed, elevation and splits. You can even pause the workout, mark segments, or lock the screen controls to avoid accidental presses. This is also safer, since you don’t have to lift your wrist to see stats all the time. You can just quickly glance down at the phone.
There are also supports for Bluetooth accessories like power meter pedals for enthusiasts and serious cyclists. To add one, go into the Settings app, tap Bluetooth, and then scroll down to see a new category called Health Devices. You can connect to it just like any other Bluetooth device once the Apple Watch discovers it. Depending on what device you connect, your Watch will show metrics like cadence (displayed as RPM) or power (watts).
WatchOS 10 also supports topographic maps, and not just for the Ultra. Any Apple Watch that can run WatchOS 10 will be able to view topo maps. You can zoom in with the digital crown to see trails, contour lines, rivers, and valley details. You’ll also be able to find trails nearby and see their difficulty levels, and if you start a hiking workout, the Apple Watch will give you elevation alerts on your wrist. However, this is limited to the US for now.
Offline maps will also be available on the watch for turn-by-turn navigation and ETA. However, you will need to have the connected iPhone with you. The Compass app gets a new 3D view so you can see cellular connectivity waypoints that show the last place you had a signal. SOS also waypoints where you can make an emergency call.
New Apple Watch faces: Snoopy and Palette
What’s an Apple Watch Update without new faces? Snoopy and Woodstock can hang out on your wrist all day, with different animations depending on what you’re doing or the time of day.
Snoopy letting you know it’s too early to be working.
MORE ON THE iOS 17: Unleash the Power of iOS 17 Developer Beta on Your iPhone Today!
The Snoopy watch face doesn’t allow for complications, but if you want a new look with extra flexibility, you can choose the new Palette face. There are three different color layers that change depending on where the hour and second hands are located, with four slots for complications around the edge of the watch face.
These are just some of the new features in the WatchOS 10 public beta, but there is more to explore. Like measuring time in daylight with the ambient light sensor, NameDrop which lets you share contact details when someone else’s iPhone is brought close to the Apple Watch, and logging moods in the Mindfulness app.
Now, speaking as a fellow Nigerian, even if you aren’t considering buying the Apple Watch to get these new features, I’ll advise you should. If not for anything, then just for the cyclists’ and hikers’ perks. Because, given the country’s direction regarding transport and fuel, all of us might soon become cyclists and hikers.
So, why not visit our stores today to get your Apple Watch? Don’t worry; we’ll recommend a bicycle seller for free.
