WatchOS 4: This New Version is Fresh With New Apple Watch Features
Apple is planning to launch a new Apple watch later this year. The company is also updating the watchOS operating system software. It is planning to bring new features to existing Apple Watch Models. Apple gave a preview of watchOS 4 on June 5 at WWDC. It features new watch faces, including a smart Siri face powered by a user’s preferences and routines. It offers new Workout and Activity features, and a refurbished Music app. It also supports Peer-to-Peer Apple Pay payments.
Three New Watch Faces.
watchOS 4 includes three new watch faces: Siri, Kaleidoscope, and a new Disney face. The Siri face is powered by Siri and is designed to surface individualized information that’s unique to each user. Siri learns a user’s preferences, routines, and schedules over time. It begins to surface relevant, dynamic information right on the Siri watch face. The face keeps updating throughout the day based on time, daily routine, and other information pulled from apps like Activity, Alarms, Breathe, Calendar, Maps, Reminders, Apple News, and Wallet.
The Kaleidoscope face, as the name suggests, features a customizable kaleidoscope design. The design slowly shifts on the wrist, just like a kaleidoscope. It can be accompanied by complications. The new Disney face features Buzz Lightyear, Andy, and Jessie from Toy Story.
The Activity App.
The Activity app offers intelligent coaching and tailored encouragement to you. This way it helps close Activity Rings more often and achieves longer success streaks. Every morning, you will receive a personalized notification if you are close to earning an Achievement. It could also suggest what you can do in order to match yesterday’s activity levels. If needed, toward the end of the day, you will also be told exactly how long they should walk to close their Activity Rings before the day is over. You will also receive unique Monthly Challenges designed just for you.
The Music App.
The watchOS 4 has a redesigned Music app. The newly redesigned app offers a more personal feel than ever. It automatically syncs your New Music Mix, Favorites Mix and most listened to music. This gives you access to more songs. The combination of Apple Watch paired with AirPods will make listening to music ideal for you, while you are working out or on the go.
The Workout App.
The watchOS 4 has an updated Workout app. The app has auto-sets for your swim workouts. For High-Intensity Interval Algorithm (HIIT) workouts, it also has new motion and heart rate algorithms. watchOS 4 allows you to combine multiple workouts to record overall calorie and time measurements.
GymKit Feature.
The watchOS 4 has a GymKit feature. You will soon be able to pair your Apple Watch directly to fitness equipment from global manufacturers with a simple tap. The data that was previously impossible to communicate between smartwatch and fitness machine will now sync seamlessly. This data includes calories, distance, speed, floors climbed, incline and pace. This will result in the most accurate measurements possible with less device management.
New Band Colors.
Apple also introduced new summer band colors. These give you more options than ever to express your personal style. This season, Apple offers vibrant Sports Bands, a bright yellow Classic Buckle, and Nike Sport Band options. They are also offering a Pride Edition Woven Nylon in rainbow stripe, in order to support diversity and inclusion.
Apple Pay.
Apple Watch users will now be able to make and receive payments through messages or Siri. The process is quick, easy and secure. This can be done using Apple Pay within Messages or using Siri. When you get paid, you will receive the money in your new Apple Pay Cash account. You can then use it instantly to send to someone or make purchases using Apple Pay in stores and apps, or transfer it to their bank account.
Expected to Launch in September.
The watchOS 4, after announcement, will go into a beta testing phase for a few months. It is expected to be available for general download somewhere around September 2017.
Dhruvil is a Writer & Marketeer for Nimblechapps, joined in December 2014, based out of Sydney, Australia. He has worked briefly as a Branding and Digital Marketing Manager before moving to Australia. At Nimblechapps, he worked on Social Media Marketing, Branding, Email Marketing and Blogging. Dhruvil studies Business at University of Western Sydney, and also handles Operations for the company in Australia.