With Apple’s 2023 Worldwide Developer Convention simply weeks away, all indicators level to it presumably being one of many greatest WWDCs but. Although the principle focus could also be on Apple’s blended actuality headset, we’re nonetheless going to see software program updates with iOS 17, iPadOS 17, watchOS 10, and macOS 14.
Over the weekend, Mark Gurman at Bloomberg said that watchOS 10 could also be a “pretty in depth improve,” with “notable adjustments” to the consumer interface. Though no particulars have been offered, it teases an thrilling future for the Apple Watch this 12 months. And it additionally bought me fascinated with some adjustments that I might like to see in watchOS 10.
Extra watch faces with darkish mode
On the Apple Watch Extremely, you get the unique Wayfinder watch face which is tremendous customizable and has a neat function that you simply don’t see with different Apple Watch faces — an evening mode. If you activate the night time mode with the Digital Crown, the complete watch face turns crimson with excessive distinction, making it simple to see at night time. Nonetheless, our personal Senior Cellular Author, Andy Boxall, said in his assessment that he likes having this watch face on on a regular basis due to its cool sci-fi seems, and hasn’t felt the necessity to change it again.
I feel a number of different watch faces would profit from an evening/darkish mode, particularly, the Chronograph, Chronograph Professional, and Infograph faces. This might make the watch faces simpler to learn at night time and provides us extra choices on easy methods to show our watch face. And if we might even set a schedule to have night time/darkish mode kick in after sundown, it may very well be even higher.
Give us a break with a relaxation mode
One of many greatest complaints in regards to the Apple Watch is the truth that there is no such thing as a relaxation mode. Which means in case you have a streak going, similar to along with your Transfer ring, it’s a must to meet your objective each single day to maintain it — even when you’re deathly sick and bedridden, or simply had surgical procedure and must get better.
In these forms of conditions, it may be extremely troublesome to be lively and transfer. Sure, there are “workarounds” that you are able to do to simply refill the transfer and train rings, nevertheless it actually shouldn’t come all the way down to that.
Different sensible wearables, just like the Oura Ring, have a relaxation mode you could activate if you’re not feeling 100% and must get better. Doing so mustn’t have an effect on your present streaks, as a result of persons are not machines; a relaxation once in a while to get better is sweet. Apple actually ought to add some form of “relaxation mode” to watchOS, so perhaps we’ll see it this 12 months. I’ll hold crossing my fingers.
A lock mode for the touchscreen
The Apple Watch Sequence 5 was one of many greatest upgrades to the Apple Watch lineup, because it launched the game-changing always-on show. Nonetheless, as nice as this function is, it additionally brings its personal slate of points.
For instance, after I’m altering my daughter’s diaper, she all the time notices my Apple Watch as a result of the show is on, and you realize — “ohhhh, shiny!” As I’m altering her diaper, she finally ends up tapping my Apple Watch show the complete time, and I don’t discover till I’m finished altering her. Typically, it’s innocent, as she simply faucets on the issues on my watch face. Different occasions, it’s extra irritating, as a result of she’s ended up deleting total watch faces with out me realizing till I take a look at my watch.
I do know there are different conditions the place the contact display screen could also be too delicate too. Have you ever ever crossed or folded your arms, and ended up “tapping” one thing in your Apple Watch’s always-on show by chance? It’s one thing that may simply occur, and it’s extremely annoying.
I hope that Apple provides some form of contact sensitivity setting in watchOS 10, or perhaps a “youngster lock” form of function. Both method, it might be useful to stop unintended faucets on the display screen.
Customized watch faces
Ever because the authentic Apple Watch Sequence 0, Apple has made authentic watch faces for customers to make use of, together with some third-party ones from Nike, Disney, and Hermès. However for years, customers have been wanting one factor: the flexibility to make their very own customized watch faces, or simply have some help for extra third-party ones.
If Apple goes to incorporate “notable adjustments,” having help for extra third-party or customized watch faces can be a giant one. And I don’t imply simply utilizing an app to show a “watch face,” which might solely work whereas the app is lively. Permitting third-party or customized watch faces can be much like how iOS 14 and iOS 16 modified house and lock display screen customization, and it’s one thing that many individuals have expressed an curiosity in because the Apple Watch debuted.
How superior wouldn’t it be to make your Apple Watch seem like LCARS from Star Trek?
Stay Actions help
In iOS 16.1, Apple launched help for Stay Actions to everybody, although the rollout of supported apps for the function appears a bit of gradual. Stay Actions are notifications which can be well timed and comprise info that’s up to date in real-time. That is helpful for issues like Uber, meals supply apps, sports activities scores, flight trackers, climate, cooking apps, and extra.
Nonetheless, watchOS notifications nonetheless don’t help Stay Actions, however maybe this could change with watchOS 10. It could be handy to simply take a look at your wrist to see when your Uber is arriving, reasonably than pulling your iPhone out of your pocket continuously. Or when you left your cellphone within the different room however you’re questioning when your DoorDash order goes to reach, simply test with a flick of your wrist.
It’s time for some massive watchOS adjustments
The previous couple of years of Apple Watch upgrades have been fairly modest, so it’s positively time for Apple to shake issues up a bit. Gurman says that the Apple Watch Sequence 9 may be one other modest improve this 12 months, so if there are any massive adjustments, it would positively must be on the software program facet of issues.
These are 5 of the most important issues that I hope watchOS 10 brings this 12 months. Hopefully, Apple offers not less than one or two of those as soon as watchOS 10 is introduced.
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