Apple is getting ready to release the next version of their Apple Watch operating system, watchOS 8, and we have a lot to look forward to! Here are 5 of our favorite new updates coming this fall.
1. Respiratory Rate Tracking During Sleep
Apple is investing heavily in healthcare, and this update is a natural next step. Right now, Apple Watch can track heart rate, blood oxygen levels, and time asleep. The next big addition is respiratory rate — the number of breaths you take per minute. Being able to compare your respiratory rate across different activity levels should provide awesome insights into your overall health and fitness. Coming this fall!
2. Control Your Apple Watch Using Hand Gestures
The future has arrived! Aimed at helping those who have trouble using the touchscreen, this update lets you navigate your Apple Watch using hand gestures like clenching your fist or pinching your fingers. Apple Watch will use built-in sensors to interpret muscle movements in your hand and wrist to navigate just as you would on the touchscreen.
Use hand motions to answer calls, silence a timer, read notifications, and lots more. This is a complete game-changer!
3. Set Multiple Timers Simultaneously
Straightforward, and frankly long overdue! With this update, you'll be able to set and track multiple timers at once. You can also name each timer — a huge help in the kitchen for tracking cooking times, loads of laundry, and more.
4. See Your Favorite Faces with Portrait Mode
Apple will utilize the depth information in Portrait mode photos to overlay the date and time with faces of your friends and family right on your watch face. It's a fun, personal touch that makes the Photos watch face look really cool with built-in depth perception.
5. Stay on Task with the New Focus Feature
Do Not Disturb has been around for a while, but the new Focus feature takes it to the next level. You can now customize notifications for different activities — silence social media during work hours, or mute work emails while out to dinner. Select specific people or apps you want to allow through, depending on what you're doing. The possibilities are endless!
We can look forward to all these features, and a lot more, coming this fall to an Apple Watch near you. Follow us on Instagram @ownloop for all our latest content, and visit ownloop.com for the most comfortable Apple Watch bands around.
