People who own Series 1 Apple Watches or newer versions of the gadgets will soon get to enjoy new functionality and features, courtesy of the WatchOS 5 operating system. Apple previewed what’s to come and announced it’ll be a free update available this fall.
A Focus on Well-Being
Apple emphasized health with some of the features on the newest system. The company also seems to realize some people need motivation from their friends to work out. One of the features lets an Apple Watch user invite a friend to take part in a weeklong activity competition that allows earning points and getting ongoing coaching notifications.
Moreover, the new operating system has a workout-detection feature that uses sensors to determine whether a person is engaged in a fitness activity.
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If it seems they are, the watch offers an on-screen prompt that urges a person to choose the kind of workout they’re doing — indoor or outdoor. The feature gives retroactive activity credits and reminds people to disable it after prolonged inactivity periods, too.
Previous operating systems for the Apple Watch already offered 12 kinds of workouts people can do while wearing the gadget. However, WatchOS 5 brings two more: yoga and hiking.
Photo by Luca Bravo on Unsplash
For running enthusiasts, WatchOS 5 provides several new metrics to help you keep tabs on your performance. There is a cadence measurement for both walks and runs that tells you how many steps you are taking per minute. Plus, a pace alarm sounds if you’re behind or ahead of a designated desired pace.
Runners will also enjoy the rolling mile pace feature. It lets them review their pace for the immediately preceding mile, as well as their current speed, making it simple to compare the two for consistency or improvements.
Use Your Watch as a Walkie-Talkie
The WatchOS 5 operating system features plenty of fitness-related features, but there are other things to enjoy outside of the fitness realm.
One of them is a walkie-talkie feature that lets you communicate with people by speaking into the Apple Watch. You can try it with any other Apple Watch owners around the world, whether connected with Wi-Fi or cellular data.
Hear Podcasts on the Go
If you’re a podcast enthusiast, the WatchOS 5 operating system has features you’ll want to start using right away. You can listen to your favorite podcasts from the Apple Watch with the help of Siri.
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Automatic updates ensure you never miss new episodes. It’s also possible to take advantage of offline listening, even without having your iPhone nearby.
Check out an Updated Watch Face and Siri Functionality
The new operating system makes your Apple Watch look a bit different than you might expect, too. That’s due to a Siri watch face update that aligns with the virtual assistant’s updated machine-learning features. They recognize aspects of your daily routine and display coordinating graphics on the front of the Apple Watch.
Thanks to new Siri shortcuts, you won’t have to say “Hey, Siri” to make the watch listen to commands. Instead, just raise your wrists as a cue to make the gadget tune into what you say.
Also, when you see a notification from a third-party app appear on the watch face, WatchOS 5 lets you interact with that information without having to open the respective application.
An early hands-on review of WatchOS 5 also indicates there is a new gray color choice for the watch face, too.
No Need for Students to Carry Physical ID Cards
Apple is also making things easier for college students on its latest operating system. People enrolled at institutions including Duke and the University of Alabama will no longer have to carry physical ID cards with them when going to dining halls or doing other things on campus.
The Apple Watch shows the same information an ID card normally displays, letting people avoid having to carry the actual cards in their wallets.
Apple will periodically introduce the functionality at selected campuses and indicates the feature offers contactless payments anywhere that accepts student ID cards at participating universities as recognized ways to buy something on or off campus.
Make Your Apple Watch Do More Than Ever
Now you have the scoop on the latest Apple Watch features, you might decide to purchase one of the wearable gadgets for the first time. Alternatively, if you already own one, these updates substantially boost its functionality.
