Apple is set to revolutionize its smartwatch with a significant software update in watchOS 10, which will reintroduce widgets as a core feature of the device. The Apple Watch was originally introduced in 2015 with watchOS built around four main areas, including the widgets interface called Glances, watch faces, the home screen filled with app icons, and an area to access frequent contacts. However, over the years, Apple shifted its strategy and removed widgets and frequent contacts in favor of highlighting notifications and multitasking capabilities.
The upcoming watchOS 10 update marks a return to widgets, which will now be a central part of the interface. The new system will combine the old watchOS Glances system with the style of widgets introduced in iOS 14 on the iPhone. Users will be able to scroll through a series of different widgets, including activity tracking, weather, stock tickers, calendar appointments, and more, instead of launching apps.
The new interface will resemble the Siri watch face introduced in watchOS 4, but it will be available as an overlay for any watch face. Apple is also testing the idea of changing the functions of some of the watch's buttons. Currently, a press of the Digital Crown launches the home screen. For the next version of watchOS, Apple may have it open up widgets instead.
The move is an acknowledgment that the iPhone-like app format doesn't always make sense on a watch, where users want as much information as possible with the least amount of poking around. Apple Watch apps have barely caught on since their introduction seven years ago, and the company has not gotten enough third-party developers on board, especially when compared to its other platforms.
WatchOS 10 will give people quicker access to important information, making it the most significant change to the Apple Watch this year. When the device's new models are unveiled this fall, they are expected to be similar to last year's lineup, with major hardware changes made in 2022.
In addition to the watchOS update, Apple is developing major new health features for this year and beyond. The company is planning AI-powered coaching, a health app for the iPad, and new tools for mood and vision management. The AI coach, codenamed Quartz, will use AI and data from users' devices to build personalized wellness plans. The iPad health app will resemble a larger version of its iPhone counterpart, designed to be more popular in healthcare settings where iPads are already prevalent. Apple is also getting into mood and emotion tracking and working on a vision management feature geared toward nearsightedness.
Overall, Apple's focus on enhancing the Apple Watch and developing new health features demonstrates the company's commitment to innovation and providing users with the latest technology to improve their lives.