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The next watchOS update will reportedly include the ECG app
One of the main features Apple announced for Apple Watch Series 4 was an electrocardiogram app, which could help you detect an irregular heart rhythm. While it wasn't included with the Watch Series 4 at release, nor in last month's watchOS update, it appears the app will arrive soon.
Apple Watch Series 4 review: Small tweaks make a big impact
The first time I strapped on an Apple Watch was three years ago. A friend had been needling me about how badly I needed one and how it was the first truly new Apple product since Steve Jobs died and how cool Digital Touch was. I caved, and 45 minutes later, I had claimed a slice of Apple's history for myself. My friend was right: The Apple Watch was cool. What he didn't tell me was that the Watch's underpowered hardware and the scarcity of must-have apps made Apple's first wearable kind of feel like a dud in those early days. Eventually, I let a coworker borrow it. When she left the company, I didn't try to get it back. What can I say? I didn't really miss it. That wouldn't be true with the Series 4. During the past three years, Apple has dutifully added features and refined the overall Watch experience. Series 2 pivoted to focus more on fitness. Series 3 had an LTE radio, so you could feasibly leave your phone at home. It wasn't until this year's Series 4, though, that the Apple Watch finally seemed to step out of the iPhone's shadow. The Series 4 is bigger and better in every way that counts, and more important, it now feels like a fleshed-out, worthy device in its own right.
Apple releases watchOS 5 with fitness upgrades and smarter Siri
If you have an Apple Watch and aren't determined to buy Series 4, your upgrade is here. Apple has released watchOS 5 right on schedule, promising big updates to fitness and Siri as well as a few apps that were arguably overdue. You now have automatic workout detection , competition with friends, advanced run tracking and expanded workouts that include hiking and yoga. Siri, meanwhile, no longer needs to wait for "hey Siri" when you raise your wrist, and the Siri watch face both provides more info (including Siri Shortcuts) and third-party app support.
Apple’s watchOS 5 and its smarter Siri arrive on September 17th
Apple has revealed when you'll be able to update your Apple Watch to watchOS 5. The latest version of the software will be available September 17th.
Apple Watch can now be used to monitor Parkinson’s symptoms
Apple has added a new API to its ResearchKit framework that will allow apps to monitor Watch users for signs of Parkinson's disease, 9to5Mac reports. The API will be able to track two symptoms associated with the movement disorder -- tremors and dyskinesia -- continuously throughout the day. Apps monitoring these two activities would then be able to display the recorded data, showing instances of the symptoms per day, hour or minute.
WWDC 2018: The biggest new features from Apple
Apple may not have talked hardware at all during its WWDC 2018 keynote -- but that didn't stop the presentation from running for well over two hours. All four of Apple's platforms (iOS, watchOS, tvOS and macOS) will receive major updates this fall, and the company spent plenty of time detailing features large and small that'll change how you use your Apple devices. In a presentation that long, it's easy to lose focus on what's significant. Fortunately, we're here for you. Grab a cup of your favorite caffeinated beverage, sit back and read on for the most important announcements Apple made at WWDC 2018.
The original Apple Watch won't get watchOS 5's fancy new features
Heads-up if you own an original Apple Watch: your wristwear is officially obsolete. Apple has confirmed that watchOS 5 will drop support for the first-generation Watch and will require at least a Series 1 timepiece. Like it or not, you'll have to upgrade to new hardware if you want automatic workouts or Walkie Talkie chats. It's a relatively short support lifespan for an Apple device (iOS hardware tends to receive support around for four to five years), but it's not entirely surprising. If anything, Apple is repeating history.
‘Hey Siri’ is purely optional in watchOS 5
Why do you need to say Siri when you've already got your Apple Watch hovering right in front of your face? Soon, you won't have to. WatchOS 5 will drop the need for you to vocally summon Siri, instead, as soon as your raise your device up, it'll start listening to your requests, questions and messaging apps. It'll also stop those awkward Siri requests that seem to raise your phone, watch, iPad and HomePod in one single, horrific instant.
Apple Watch will put a Walkie Talkie on your wrist
The latest Apple Watch version includes an optional LTE connection. That lets you make or receive phone calls, use Messages and other network-enabled features when not in WiFi range. Now Apple will let you connect with your friends in yet another way. The company just announced a new app for watchOS 5 called Walkie Talkie. You can now talk Watch to Watch over cellular or WiFi to your buddies.
Apple watchOS 5 focuses on fitness and Siri
The Apple Watch is about to get another big tune-up, and it won't surprise you to hear that the focus is on fitness. Apple has unveiled watchOS 5, and there's a slew of updates for more competitive types. There's now automatic workout detection -- not a new feature on smartwatches, but helpful if you've ever forgotten to tap your watch before starting a run. You'll also have week-long competitions with friends, hiking and yoga workouts, a rolling mile pace and cadence (steps per minute) tracking.
Apple Watch code hints at future support for third-party faces
Ever since the original Apple Watch premiered in 2015, owners have been frustrated by the absence of third-party faces. And it's hard to blame them -- while Wear OS and Pebble devices have had them for years, Apple Watch owners couldn't do much more than customize existing faces. Thankfully, there might be relief on the horizon for individualists. The 9to5Mac team has discovered code in watchOS 4.3.1's NanoTimeKit that hints at future support for third-party faces. It's just a placeholder, but it's explicit: one of the kit's log messages says "this is where the 3rd party face config bundle generation would happen."
