watchOS 3 New Features
Instant Launch
watchOS 3 New Features are on the way. Apple’s watchOS 3 was announced at the World Wide Developers conference this June. The main focus was on better performance by the use of Instant Launch. Apple says that apps will launch up to seven times faster than on watchOS 2. Additionally, Apple has redesigned much of the user interface to make it easier to access apps and information and add the ability to write characters with your finger to reply to messages.
Control Center
The updated interface of watchOS 3 includes Control Center, which is accessed via a swipe up from the bottom of the display. The side button has been remapped to launch the dock of recent and running apps instead of the contacts menu. Apple has also added a few new watch faces, including one that more prominently shows activity progress. Watch faces can be changed by swiping across the display. The Reminders and Find Friends apps have been redesigned, and third-party apps can also now run in the dock area.
Scribble
The new Scribble feature lets you draw letters on the screen to type out words. It’s similar to a feature recently announced for Android Wear. A new safety feature lets you call 911 in just a few seconds by holding down the side button. It will dial 911 through the phone’s cellular connection or through the watch’s Wi-Fi connection if cellular isn’t available. Once the call is ended, it will automatically ping emergency contacts to alert them. Apple says that it works internationally and will automatically call the correct emergency help number in whatever country you happen to be in.
Fitness
Apple says that one of the most common uses for the Apple Watch is fitness tracking and in light of that, has announced a new fitness app for it. The new app lets users connect with others to see activity and progress and send messages and heart rates to others. The activity tracking for wheelchair users has also been greatly improved, with “time to roll” alerts in place of time to stand. The watch can track wheelchair pushes in a variety of ways and will display them in the activity rings.
Breathe
Another new health app in watchOS 3 is called Breathe and is designed to encourage relaxation and breathing techniques. It can provide haptic feedback to guide users when their eyes are closed.