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At WWDC16, Apple also showed off a preview of its upcoming watchOS 3 which it claims will be faster, simpler, and will come with breakthrough health features. The OS will be available as a free upgrade later this fall (from 22 September to 21 December, 2016), and will require iPhone 5 or later, running iOS 8.2 or later. As for developers, WatchKit for watchOS 3 is available now to member of the iOS Developer Program.
An updated Activity app now includes the ability to share and compare activity rings, as activity sharing has now been directly connected to the Messages app, as well as to compete with friends and family. Users can even allow Apple’s trainers to keep an eye on their daily progress, along with the ability to receive notifications when people within the user’s circle finishes a workout or earns achievements. For a more personalised approach, receivers of those notifications will also be able to send a reply via Messages using the new Smart Replies feature that has been customised for Activity and Workouts, or alternatively, send their own heartbeat with Digital Touch.
Another new update to the Activity app is the optimisation for wheelchair users. The update allows said users to track their activities by taking into account the different pushing techniques for different types of terrains and speeds. This is on top of the 2 new wheelchair-specific workouts and 1 new Time to Roll notification (previously Time to Stand).
Messaging and communication gets more expressive in watchOS 3 with stickers, handwriting, full-screen effects, and invisible ink; for secret messages that only come up when the receiving party swipes over the message. Access to the aforementioned Smart Replies has also been sped up by including it right into the message notification. Customised replies will also be possible with the new scribble feature, which will allow users to actually write words on the display that will then be converted into text.
For emergencies, the SOS feature in watchOS 3 can be initiated by users to call emergency services through the connected iPhone, or directly from the watch when connected to Wi-Fi. Users will also be able to notify their emergency contact by simply pressing and holding the side button.
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Navigating the watch is easier now, including replying in Message, starting Workout, or skipping songs, with just a push of the side button. This action will immediately launch the new Dock that will present recent and favourite apps, including native and 3rd party apps. The apps will be updated with the latest information and will be ready for viewing in an instant. Also, similar to iOS, users will be able to swipe up from the watch face for a new and improved Control Center, and continue to swipe down from that for Notification Center as well as to either left or right from there to switch watch faces.
Speaking of Watch Faces, watchOS 3 gets even more options that will include Minnie Mouse, Activity, and Numerals. Users will be able to add compilations to the Photo, Motion, or Timelapse watch faces, and it’ll be easier to customise and discover 3rd-party apps with the new Faces Gallery; found within the Watch app on the connected iPhone.
Finally, watchOS 3 will also arrive with a new Breathe app, whose purpose is to encourage users to do short breathing exercises to help them relax as well as to reduce stress. The sessions lasting from from 1–5 minutes will be complemented with calming visuals and haptic cues, which will be followed up with a heart rate summary upon completion. The Time to Breathe reminders can be used to fit these breathing sessions into the user’s daily routine.
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