10 new tricks WatchOS 7 will soon bring to your Apple Watch

This story is part of WWDC 2020. All the latest coverage of Apple’s WWDC annual developer conference.

The Apple Watch ($ 399 by Apple) learns some new tricks WatchOS 7. Apple announced its latest software updates in June at its annual World Developer Conference and gave a sneak peek at the new features coming to their Apple Watches. The update is expected this fall and includes a fresh batch of watch faces, new workout options and native sleep tracking – the latest of which has been highly anticipated many years.

These features will only be compatible with the Apple Watch Series 3 ($ 199 by Apple) or later, however, and some features are exclusive to the Series 5. Here is a breakdown of 10 key new Apple Watch features announced at WWDC 2020.

Native sleep tracking is finally coming

The wait is over. Apple Watch users can finally carry their watch to bed and follow their sleep without downloading a third-party app. WatchOS 7 also helps users sleep on time by providing a way run off of the day with a calming bed routine. Once in bed, the Apple Watch uses its motion and heart rate sensors to determine when you’ve turned away and shut down all notifications. In the morning, you can look back on your sleep cycle to see if you have woken up in the middle of the night, and look at your progress over time.

To track sleep, the Apple Watch must have at least a 30 percent charge, and it will need a charge when you wake up. Once the Apple Watch is fully charged, you will receive a notification on your phone that it is ready to go.

Workout and ‘new’ fitness app

That Zumba class may show that you have burned more calories in WatchOS 7. Apple has added dancing, core training, functional strength and cooldown to its list of workout options on the Watch. As such, the Watch algorithm is specifically tuned for these exercises and calorie tracking is more accurate.

Cyclists will also get a new navigation feature in Apple Maps that allows them to choose routes based on time to destination, total distance or number of hills.

The Activity app, which contains the activity rings and the summary of your day, has been re-launched in WatchOS 7. It will be called the Fitness app on both the Apple Watch and the iPhone. Although the app remains very similar to the Watch, it has received a slight redesign on the iPhone. It has a more comprehensive overview page and a more intuitive way to find your stats at a glance.

WatchOS 7 keeps you honest about hand washing

You know we live through some interesting times when hand washing gets almost as much air time as sleep tracking in the keynote. The Apple Watch will use the motion sensors and microphone to find out when you wash your hands and make sure you do it properly. Once it is determined that you are sinking, it will start a countdown of 20 seconds, which is the optimal duration based on the CDC guidelines. It may even remind you to do it as soon as you step into your home.

Other health features

WatchOS 7 takes the Noise app a step further by extending audible alerts to headphone levels. The Apple Watch already monitors ambient noise and alerts users when it reaches a level that could affect hearing loss. But now it will do the same thing if you listen to audio from your iPhone, iPod or Apple Watch through your headphones. You will receive a warning if you have exceeded the recommended volume or listening time by the World Health Organization.

There is also a new heat metric that can help users get a feel for their mobility and cardiovascular capabilities. Advanced age as well as injuries can ensure the balance of people and the general ability to move safely and effectively. The Apple Watch uses its motion sensors (like the motion sensors on the iPhone) to get an idea of ​​what this looks like over time, similar to a “6-minute walk test” you would normally get in a lab. If this data is shared with a physician, it may help to detect mobility issues before they get to the point of affecting your health.

Share and discover new watch faces

Apple will not allow it yet faces of third parties, but there will be more ways to personalize the Apple Watch by modifying existing templates or adding multiple complications from the same app. Watch wearers can also share watch faces with each other via text, email or social media, or discover other looks that are put together by specific companies.

The Apple Watch also has a new option from Chronograph Pro, which has a tachymeter in analog style that measures speed and distance, and has an extra large text option and new photo filters. And you’ll be able to add new complications for Apple’s camera, distance, sleep and Hotkeys apps.

Auto system feature turns your watch into a key fob

With the updates, your Apple Watch can become an important fob for your car. You can not grant car key access rights like on the iPhone, but you will be able to accept them if they are shared with you through the Wallet app. The car key feature will only be available on the Apple Watch Series 5 or later (assuming we have a Series 6 in the fall), and will only be compatible with select BMW models for now.

Other iOS features

• Apple Watch has inline replies for the Messaging app
• Siri can read your texts back when connected to earphones
• The Apple Watch will get a translation app that allows users to translate full conversations.