7 Exciting New Features Coming to your Apple Watch in watchOS 10
Credit: Apple
During this year's Worldwide Developers Conference, Apple showed off a bunch of new features that will be coming to all of its Apple devices in software updates later this year, including the Apple Watch.
While the Apple Watch doesn't always get as many new features as other Apple devices, that's changing this year with watchOS 10. Once the update arrives on your wrist this fall, your Apple Watch will gain new capabilities to help you have fun outside, stay on top of your mental health, or just have a pretty-looking Apple Watch.
Read on for the seven best features that are coming in watchOS 10.
watchOS 10 Brings Love to Hikers
While hiking wasn't originally the reason why you'd get an Apple Watch, Apple has been introducing many cool features for those who love the outdoors, and watchOS is no exception.
The new software update introduces new topographic maps, which have a lot more detail than a regular, basic map. These will help you see possible trails and points you need to visit while hiking.
You'll soon be able to see these maps on your Apple Watch. You'll find important data like elevation and important points of interest. There's also a new search feature to let you find different trails you might want to tackle.
New improvements to the Compass app will provide an elevation view and key waypoints that will be important during your hike.
In addition to any waypoints you add manually, you'll also see the Last Cellular Connection waypoint, which will let you know the last time you had access to a cellular connection on your own carrier, and a Last Emergency Call waypoint, which is the last place where you could call for help using a cellular connection from any carrier.
Your Apple Watch Will Measure How Long You Stay Outside
A new app that's coming to your Apple Watch is called Time in Daylight. This feature will automatically use the hardware on your Apple Watch to measure how long you stay outside.
There's no doubt that going outside helps you physically and mentally, which is why your Apple Watch will help you keep track of your outdoor activity. Not only that, but if you're a parent, you can also keep track of how long your kids stay outside.
Smart Stack Is Coming to Your Apple Watch
The Smart Stack is a new feature that stores all the different widgets you find useful, letting you scroll through important pieces of information without cluttering your screen.
Apple introduced this on the iPhone a few years ago, and it's finally making its way to the Apple Watch.
You'll be able to access many different widgets from your wrist and find the widgets you need by scrolling through the stack. In addition, your Apple Watch will also keep track of all the widgets you use and will try to show you the most important widgets for you during certain times of the day.
New Designs and Watch Faces
With every new software update, Apple adds some new designs to make your Apple Watch feel brand new, and watchOS 10 is no exception.
Apple is redesigning many of its watch apps to take advantage of the bigger displays on the Apple Watch Series 8 and the Apple Watch Ultra and is offering more ways for third-party developers to make better use of the full display of the Apple Watch.
You'll be able to choose a new Snoopy watch face, which feels like a breath of fresh air if you were getting tired of Mickey and Minnie Mouse, and a Palette watch face that's really aesthetically pleasing.
Cycling Is Now Better With the Apple Watch
The Apple Watch already comes with a Cycling workout you can use to track your indoor or outdoor cycling adventures.
However, with watchOS 10, your Apple Watch will provide much better insight into your cycling routines. When you start a Cycling workout, your iPhone will immediately start showing a Live Activity with all the important data you need to know so you can mount it on your bike and see it at a glance.
Moreover, you'll also be able to connect different accessories to your Apple Watch via Bluetooth. For instance, you can connect a power meter, and your Apple Watch provides all the necessary data you need to know so you learn the intensity of cycling you can endure.
The Mindfulness App Is Getting Better
Right now, you can use the Mindfulness app to take meditative breaks and focus on the good feelings and experiences you've had in your life. You can also use it to take some breathing exercises or meditation workouts that are offered as part of an Apple Fitness+ subscription.
With watchOS 10, Apple is taking Mindfulness to the next level with the ability to record your state of mind throughout the day. You'll have the option to choose different shapes to express how you're feeling and describe what's causing you to feel the way you feel.
Apple also says that there will be new features to quickly help you handle depression and anxiety and help you determine if you need to stop using your watch and go see a medical professional.
NameDrop Is Also Available on the Apple Watch
One of the coolest iOS 17 features Apple announced during WWDC is NameDrop, which will use the technology behind AirDrop to make it easier to share your contact information. All you need to do is put two iPhones together, and you can quickly and easily share stuff like your phone number and your email address.
The best part is that you'll also be able to use NameDrop with your Apple Watch. Instead of using your iPhone, you can share and get contact information with nothing but your wrist.