Today at Apple’s Worldwide Developer Conference keynote, Apple previewed watchOS 3, promising improved performance with the ability to launch apps instantly, enhanced navigation like the new Dock and all-new fitness and health capabilities for Apple Watch. Launch times should be “instantaneous” as watch OS 3 lets you keep your favorite apps in memory, does background updates, and refreshes data before you bring them up. This software update introduces the Breathe app, designed to encourage users to take a moment in their day to do deep breathing exercises for relaxation and stress reduction. The Activity app now includes the ability to share, compare and compete as well as enabling wheelchair users to close their Activity rings. Activity sharing is now directly connected to the Messages app, so users can communicate, motivate and celebrate with friends and family with new Smart Replies specially customized for Activity and Workouts. In watchOS 3, the Activity app experience is now optimized for wheelchair users. Wheelchair pushes contribute to all-day calorie goals, the “time to stand” reminder is now “time to roll” and there are dedicated wheelchair-specific workouts. SOS in watchOS 3 enables people in critical
situations around the world to initiate a call with emergency services through their iPhone or while on Wi-Fi, and notify their emergency contact by simply pressing and holding the side button. The Apple Watch gets even more personal with new watch faces in watchOS 3, including Minnie Mouse, Activity and the simple and Numerals. Even more apps can launch straight from the watch face including Workout, Music or Messages. Users can also now add complications to the Photo, Motion or Timelapse watch faces. It’s easier to customize watch faces and discover third-party apps with the new Faces Gallery in the Watch app on iPhone. watchOS 3 will be available this fall as a free update to Apple Watch. Apple Watch requires iPhone 5 or later running iOS 8.2 or later.
