watchOS 3 to Feature a Slew of New Apps for Home, Reminders, Heart Rate, and More

At Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) keynote earlier this month, the Cupertino-company officially took the wraps off its “next evolution” in desktop and mobile computing software — with the unveiling of vastly enhanced releases, across the board, which are expected to debut periodically throughout the remainder of the year.

One of those forthcoming software releases, as we learned, just so happens to be for the Apple Watch — and what we know about the forthcoming watchOS 3 update so far is rather exciting, in and of itself. The company is expected to introduce a slew of new apps and features — including SOS and Scribble, super-fast app launching, Breathe, and a bunch of new Watch faces.

However, in addition to these aforementioned advancements, Apple’s watchOS 3 will reportedly be gaining an assortment of default apps that only further the wearable’s integration with iOS 10. In addition, a new, dedicated Heart Rate app will be taking the place of the current “glance” view for heart rate monitoring.

Since watchOS 3 will be doing away with “glances,” altogether, watchOS 3 essentially necessitated that the heart monitor function become its own app. That said, there doesn’t appear to be any major differences between the watchOS 2 and watchOS 3 heart monitoring feature — aside from the fact that the new app will have to be accessed via watchOS 3’s new application dock. Also, just a mere press of the side button on Apple Watch will reveal this new dock, from which heart rate monitor can be quickly and easily accessed.

Additionally, a trifecta of apps will be coming to Apple Watch, making the integration with iOS 10 even deeper than ever before.

First up, we have Home for Apple Watch. Similar to the new Home app coming to iOS 10, Home for Apple Watch will display a complete list of your connected HomeKit connected devices — such as light bulbs, door locks, etc., while allowing you to control their settings via your Apple Watch. For example, let’s say you have a connected light bulb. Apple Watch will now allow you to view and adjust the bulb’s settings — all via your Apple Watch. For instance, Force Pressing the all-new “…” icon located on the Apple Watch’s screen will reveal a sub-list of these changeable features, such as brightness and color (if applicable).

Next up, we have the new Reminders app for Apple Watch. Very similar to the same app for iOS, you’ll be able to view, change, mark as complete, and even receive notifications for pending reminders on your Watch. And, while it doesn’t appear that you’ll be able to create new reminders directly from your Apple Watch, doing so will still be possible by using Siri, in conjunction with the sound of your voice.

Lastly, Apple’s location-based ‘Find my Friends’ app will be coming to Apple Watch in watchOS 3, and will work in conjunction with iOS 10, as well.

It should be noted, however, that even despite the many design changes taking effect in watchOS 3, system and/or 3rd party apps will be able to be placed on their own Watch faces for quick launching, without having to access the application menu or dock.

What do you think about these cool new apps coming to watchOS 3 this fall? Let us know in the comments!