WatchOS 9 public beta is now available for all Apple Watches starting with Series 4. You’ll also need to have the iOS 16 public beta installed on your iPhone. Both updates are free to download from Apple, but you should be cautious when installing any beta software. Features may change between now and final release, and there may be bugs or elements of instability. If you’re installing a public beta, I highly recommend backing up your Apple Watch and iPhone. Here’s a look at all the new Apple Watch features coming soon!
WatchOS 9 looks fresher and more iPhone-like
One thing I noticed after installing the public beta was the different notification appearances on the Apple Watch. A new banner notification similar to the iPhone now appears at the top of the screen. When a text or email arrives, notifications no longer take up the entire screen unless your watch is inactive or locked.
Siri also borrows some of the same look from the iPhone by showing icons at the bottom of the screen when you summon the virtual assistant. How to swipe up to access Control Center, now you can see text size settings. Before, you had to pop up the Settings menu to change the font size.
Another small but welcome improvement is the battery widget, which you can add to the iOS 16 lock screen. Now you can easily check the battery level on your Apple Watch without unlocking your phone. If you put the watch on the charger, it can even reflect the charging status in real time.
New watch faces take full advantage of the Apple Watch Series 7 screen
There are four new watch faces to choose from:
1. Metropolitan: A customizable clock face with complications and numerals that moves in and out as you turn the digital crown
2. Astronomy: Higher resolution than before, you can now see hourly updated cloud coverage
3. Playtime: As the name describes, big bouncy numbers float around the screen and move when you tap the screen or rotate the crown
4. Lunar calendar: The lunar calendar is displayed when the crown is rotated
WatchOS 9 enhances workout app with more screens
The new multisport mode automatically lets you link two or even three activities together at once, without the need to manually stop, restart, or add another workout using the Add function. You might be competing in a triathlon, or just want to jump right off the bike for a run. WatchOS 9 will automatically detect when you start this new activity and switch between workout types as you do.
Even more exciting are the heart rate zones. Your Apple Watch can now show you your heart rate zone at any given moment during your workout. Based on your personal estimated maximum heart rate, you can be alerted when entering different zones. This can help you understand how hard your heart is working during cardio and if you’re reaching your limit. All of these zones are fully customizable and you can change them by going to Settings > Exercise > Heart Rate Zones.
WatchOS 9 is built for runners
For the first time, Apple Watch will be able to display running form metrics in the Workout app, including vertical swing, stride length, touchdown time and running power metrics. These also appear after you run the Activity app on the iPhone.
You can now create custom workouts by tapping three dots before starting an activity to set personalized distance and time goals that may better fit your training program. You’ll also see a new feature called Pacer here. This allows you to choose the distance and desired finish time, and the watch will then give you the speed you need to reach that goal, alerting you when you’re above or below that speed.
improved dictation
Now, WatchOS 9 goes a step further and automatically inserts punctuation into sentences as you speak. No more saying “period” and “comma” or awkward “question marks” to manually add punctuation. This should be on by default, but if not, go to Settings > General > Dictation and turn on automatic punctuation.
Your iPhone can now control and mirror your Apple Watch
Just as Assistive Touch on WatchOS 8 let you control your watch by moving the muscles in your hands and arms, Apple Watch Mirroring on WatchOS 9 changes the accessibility game. It allows you to mirror your Apple Watch on your iPhone, so you can control every aspect of your watch by touching the larger iPhone screen. It even lets you use the digital crown and side buttons.
On iPhone, go to Settings > Accessibility > Apple Watch Mirroring. You’ll now see some simulations of your Apple Watch live on your phone.
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