Apple Watch Series 6 Delayed, New Features May Be Worth the Wait

Every year, Apple holds a fall press event to announce new iPhone models, Apple Watches, and sometimes new iPads. This year has not been typical, so it’s not surprising that the company’s launch schedule has been disrupted as well.

Earlier rumors hinted at a September launch for the Apple Watch Series 6. Now, another well-known leaker claims that won’t happen, and we may have to wait a little longer for a new Apple Watch. The wait might be worth it, though. A recent patent application hints at several new health features that could land in the Apple Watch, hopefully, sooner than later.

No Watch in September

Last month, Apple leaker extraordinaire Jon Prosser said Apple would announce new iPad and Watch models in September.

According to Prosser, Apple would forgo the typical in-person press event in early September and announce these smaller products via press releases throughout the month.

An iPhone press event would presumably follow in October and would be a virtual event similar to the WWDC keynote held in June.

Twitter user L0vetodream, who also has a proven track record of Apple-related product leaks, claims that there will be no Apple Watch this month.

If true, this leak corroborates a similar report earlier this week by Mac Otakara. Sources told Mac Otakara that Apple would launch both its new iPhone and Apple Watch Series in a press event sometime in the second half of October. Together, these two rumors strongly suggest Apple will not launch its iPhones or Apple Watch models this month. Instead, it will wait until October and bundle them together as part of a larger press event.

Are New Features Worth the Wait?

A new patent, spotted by PatentlyApple, hints at some new features Apple could be bundling into the future Apple Watch Series 6.

The patent application was filed in early 2019 and only recently published, meaning its technology Apple has been working on for a while. The patent is a large one with several technology innovations that could eventually appear in its Apple Watches.

The patent describes a Touch ID system that would require you to scan your finger to access content on the Watch.

There also is a gesture system that is similar to Raise to Wake. Instead of merely raising your wrist, you could move your arm and wrist in particular motions to trigger different Watch actions. The patent doesn’t list any possible actions. Still, we could imagine how it could be used to start an exercise session, make payments, and more.

Security and convenience features arent the only ones mentioned in the patent. It also contains various health-specific additions, including blood oxygen monitoring, which is rumored to arrive in the Apple Watch Series 6.

Other health features include health-related reminders, such as an alert to take your daily medicine, dietary advice, and more.

Apple is expected to unveil new Apple Watches later this fall. Initially, rumors pointed to an announcement this month. Still, recent reports hint Apple may delay the launch of its Apple Watch Series 6 until October. The Watch could include sleep tracking, new watch faces, and blood oxygen monitoring when it does debut.

[The information provided in this article has NOT been confirmed by Apple and may be speculation. Provided details may not be factual. Take all rumors, tech or otherwise, with a grain of salt.]