Updated: Apple watchOS 3 release date, news and features
Watch OS 3 release date, news and features
Update: The watchOS 3 update is now available for your existing Apple Watch, three days before Apple Watch Series 2 and Series 1 become available. Here are all of the new features.
WatchOS 3 is the highly anticipated refresh to your existing iPhone-compatible smartwatch, the Apple Watch that's running watchOS 2 today.
The new firmware means the smartwatch is faster than ever before, yet is still able to deliver a handful of additional features, some in conjunction with iOS 10. It's the Apple Watch done right.
We weren't able to fast-forward time (that Apple Watch time travel feature doesn't actually work like that), but we were able to spend three months with the software in beta. Here's a breakdown of what we found.
Cut to the chase
- What is it? The next version of Apple's smartwatch operating system
- When's it out? Download it today
- What will it cost? Nothing, it's an upgrade!
Apple watchOS 3 release date
There's no more looking at your Apple Watch and waiting for the today's update. That's because watchOS 3 is now available to download and install, as of 10am Pacific time.
Apple launched the software upgrade for its smartwatch alongside iOS 10. That's technically earlier than the Fall release date is gave, which officially begins on September 22.
Sooner is better than later, in our minds, and it's totally free to download on your existing Apple Watch. If you're upgrading to Apple Watch Series 2 or Series 1, they'll come with watchOS 3 out of the box.
Apple watchOS 3 features
The big update in watchOS 3 is in the optimization of your Watch, which makes it faster than ever before.
Apple wants to have your apps respond instantly and have all the information you need before you even look at it. No more waiting around for third-party apps to boot up.
Apps will now pre-load information in the background and some apps are seven times faster than on watchOS 2. Even in beta form, it's lightning fast by comparison.
There's a new Dock
There's a new Dock section on the Watch that allows you to access your favorite apps even quicker than the hexagonal grid (which is still here, too). There can be up to ten apps within this app-switching menu.
The Dock is accessed via the side button - a much better use of it than the accessing your friends list. Your friends haven't cared about your heartbeat since the week after everyone got their Apple Watch.
My dock include options such Messages, Timer, Workout, GoPro, Camera, Apple Home (new in iOS 10), Facebook Messenger, Mail, Google Tasks and Now Playing.
Control Center and SOS
The Dock means there's no more Glances, which were similar in practice, but access from a swipe up gesture. Now that same gesture is dedicated to Control Center, just like on an iPhone.
Control Center has expanded with watchOS 3. There's a grid of toggle buttons: battery life, airplane mode, silent mode on/off, do not disturb, Find My iPhone, lock your smartwatch and AirPlay. It's great that all of these essentials are one swipe away now and not buried within Glances.
There's also another feature called SOS for when you're in trouble and need the emergency services. It works by you holding down the side button (like you're going to turn off the watch), and it ideal when you're in a dangerous situation.
It'll ring the emergency services if your Watch is connected to your phone ,or use the internet if you're on Wi-Fi. SOS will work around the world, no matter what country you are in.
It even connects with a new Medical ID feature now included in watchOS 3 that allows you to keep your emergency details and vital stats on your person, rather than just on your phone.
Apple watchOS 3 Activity
The exercise based Activity app on watchOS is going to get an upgrade as well. The focus is on competition with a feature called Activity sharing.
If you swipe to the right of your activity ring it'll show your family and friends details too so you can start competitions.
It means you can send your heart rate to one of your friends or send a message with running details attached to show off your kickass workout.
Activity now also supports those in a wheelchair too. Apple has applied a number of major changes to the way Activity works on the Apple Watch for those who are in a wheelchair.
The notification "time to stand" will also switch to "time to roll" as well as the addition of two specific workout modes within the Activity app.
Apple watchOS 3 Breathe
Breathe is a new app to help you calm down after a stressful day at work - it'll give you breathing exercises to try to help relax you. You can set up smart notifications to remind you to use the app and you have the choice of doing workouts from one to five minutes long.
You can even do it with your eyes closed - just switch on haptic feedback and the buzzes will tell you when to breathe in and out.
Apple watchOS 3 messages
Ways to respond to your messages have changed in watchOS 3 by including easy to see shortcuts for voice messages and emoji to make it even quicker to reply. That's followed by your smart replies that sit just below the message you're reading.
There's also a new feature called Scribble that allows you to write a single letter on your watch at a time that will then build into a word. This will work in a number of different languages too - you could even scribble in Chinese.
Apple watchOS 3 faces
It's quicker than ever to switch your watch face - now it just takes a single swipe. You can even add elements such as the weather on top of your photo watch faces.
Plus Minnie Mouse in now coming to Apple Watch too to join the popular Mickey watch face. You may have seen the WWDC demo in which the her outfits colors can be customized, but did you know they read the time aloud when tapped, too? It's a neat, hidden watchOS 3 feature.
We'll unlock more watchOS 3 beta secrets as updates roll out to our Apple Watch. TechRadar will remain your best source for hearing all about what's new for the best smartwatch for iPhone.
Contributer : Techradar - All the latest technology news http://ift.tt/1TZBQ2c
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