WatchOS 10 Comes With Smarter Widgets

Apple will launch watchOS 10 this fall with a number of far-reaching innovations for the Apple Watch. At the start of the WWDC, there was already a foretaste of the upcoming update.

WatchOS 10 is packed with new features, improved apps, and expanded capabilities. One of the most notable changes is the new Smart Stacks, which show relevant widgets when they’re needed. The watch learns to display the widgets depending on the situation. With this, however, Apple is also fundamentally changing the operation and navigation through the clock functions.

The AI ​​behind it then starts the weather widget in the morning with the weather forecast. The Smart Stack displays boarding passes from the Wallet app while traveling and upcoming entries for calendar and reminder widgets. This should make it easier to access the information you need.

Some Apple Watch apps, including Weather, Stocks, Home, Maps, News, and World Clock, use more screen real estate with watchOS 10, allowing you to see more information at a glance than before.

Things get sporty with new functions for cyclists and hikers. With watchOS 10, Apple Watch can automatically connect to Bluetooth-compatible cycling accessories such as power meters, speed sensors, and cadence sensors. In addition, after starting a cycling training session via the Apple Watch, all information is automatically displayed as a live activity on the iPhone.

For hikers, watchOS 10 with the compass app should become a helpful tool for exploring nature.

With watchOS 10, the Compass app automatically generates two new waypoints: “The Last Cellular Connection waypoint estimates the last location with cell service, which can be useful for loading messages or making a call.” In the event of an emergency, the Last Emergency waypoint returns Call approximates where the device last had coverage from an available provider during the route it was traveled in, so an emergency call can be made,” Apple said.

New Dials

There are also new things to discover in the dials with the upcoming update. This is how “Palette” and “Snoopy” start. The latter is self-explanatory, while the dial palette shows colors in constant change like a painter’s palette.

iOS 17’s NameDrop feature will also come to the watch for easy contact sharing. In addition, recorded FaceTime video messages can be started and viewed on the watch. Group FaceTime is also supported on the Apple Watch starting with watchOS 10.

watchOS 10 will be available as an update in the fall. The minimum requirement is the Apple Watch Series 4 or newer in combination with an iPhone Xs or newer with iOS 17.