Approaching. During theWorldwide Developer Conferencewhich will be held in Cupertino next month, Apple will most likely announce the new version of its platform for connected watches: watchOS 10. But although the content of this update is officially secret, many rumors about it have already and already leaked on the internet, in turn through analysts or specialized journalists. We therefore wanted to take stock of the most pressing rumors in the corridors.
Here's what it is.
1 – A brand new design
To begin with, watchOS 10 is announced as themost significant update to the operating system since its debut in 2015, like iOS 7 in its time. On the menu here; mainly changes in the appearance of the interface, which has hardly evolved since the Apple Watch Series 2. Among the new features, we should expect the arrival of folders, but also ofwidgetson the home screen. The latter, a sort of shortcut to the functionalities of third-party apps, would prove more practical and quicker to launch than opening them completely.
Among the widgets in question, Mark Gurman (journalist forBloomberg) evoked:
- sports activity monitoring
- the weather
- monitoring of stock market values
- calendar appointments
3 –Journal
With this, Apple appears to be developing a completely new native application. Internal code name, for now:Jurassic. The idea here would be to propose a sort ofvirtual diaryto Internet users, where they could note their daily thoughts, add images from the Photos app media library or even record a geolocation. A client for iOS is also being released, it seems.
According to several studies, writing regularly is good formental health. This practice helps reduce anxiety, which can be understood given the liberating effect of feelings written down on paper. Well-being is also one of the themes on which Apple communicates the most with the environment, whether via the associated sensors of its Watch, its Beddit sleep monitor or even the toolScreen timeon iPhone and Mac.
© Parker Ortolani
2 – Compatibility
With which Apple Watch will watchOS 10 be compatible? This question is on everyone's lips, as we know Apple's habit of abandoning support for old models quite regularly. To compare, we can look at the case of watchOS 9, which is available on all models of smartwatches offered in stores but also on the four previous versions. On the other hand, with this update, the Series 3 was left aside, but it is the only edition concerned.
In theory, we can therefore bet on a watchOS 10 compatible with the Apple Watch Series 5, the Apple Watch Series 6, the Apple Watch Series 7, the Apple Watch Series 8 and the Apple Watch Ultra butnot the Apple Watch Series 4. Of course, the operating system will also be available automatically on future models – but these may not be released until 2024.
4 – OneDigital Crowndifferent?
With the Apple Watch Ultra, its manufacturer unveiled the Action button, which offers the possibility of customizing the shortcut triggered when the user presses it. But on the Apple Watch Series, only theDigital Crownis available, allowing you to redirect to the home screen with one tap or to return to the last open app with two.
watchOS 10, however, could completely change the usefulness of theDigital Crown. This would be like thisdedicated to new widgetsseen above, but without knowing precisely how. However, we imagine that the rotary movement would allow them to scroll, but this is only a guess for the moment.
5 – Additions on the health side
Coming back to well-being, Mark Gurman – again – suggests that watchOS 10 would come with a “coach“, whose internal code name would beQuartz. This advisor would offer advice on staying in shape, whether in terms of sleep management, diet, emotions, guided meditation or even sport. The functionality would also call on artificial intelligence, to stick to current trends.
As Apple Watches are already equipped with Siri, we can easily assume that it will be associated with this new feature. But Gurman also talks about extensive personalization of recommendations, which contrasts with the recent setbacks of the proprietary voice assistant. This one would indeed be toolimitfor reasons of confidentiality.
6 – Integration with theReality Pro
For WWDC, well beyond watchOS 10, it is especially Apple's mixed reality headset that has been the talk of the town lately. This would take the name “Reality Pro” and, inevitably, would have to be controlled in a certain way. Instead of investing in the creation of a joystick, an Apple Watch would therefore be the ideal candidate for this function.
© Parker Ortolani
Let us remember, however, that the connected watch is now equipped with agyroscopeand aaccelerometer, two essential sensors for finding your way in space. These components would therefore be perfect for video games, which promise to bring together most headset users looking for virtual reality experiences.
7 – Pairing with iPads and Macs
In addition to Reality Pro, Apple Watches running watchOS 10 could also connect to iPads and Macs. But with a very distinct objective here: that of the grassroots association. To understand what it is, you must first know that nowadays it is almostimpossible to use an Apple watch without it being paired to an iPhone. This operation is even one of the very first required when configuring the wearable.
To simplify the lives of Android users, or for those who simply wish to lend their Apple Watch, the manufacturer could therefore offer to synchronize them with its tablets and computers. There is no shortage of ranges, but it would not be surprising to see Tim Cook's company limit itself to high-end collections like the iPad Pro or MacBook Pro.
8 – You support sideloading
Before finishing with the release date, let's also discuss the case of sideloading. This practice consists of installing applications without going through the App Store. Apple blocks it, for security reasons: the updates offered on its store are carefully studied by its teams, looking for possible viruses - even if this is apparently notnot always very effective.
The problem is that forEuropean Union, this positioning is anti-competitive. Apple could therefore very soon find itself obliged to let studios offer their platforms for download outside of its App Store, or to pay a fine for non-compliance withregulationsin force. However, the timetable for this major change currently remains relatively unclear: perhaps the first version of watchOS 10 will not be ready, and we will have to wait longer.
9 – And the release date, then?
watchOS 10 will therefore most certainly be presented during the Worldwide Developer Conference, during the opening keynote which will be held onJune 5 at 7 p.m.(Paris time). It will be possible to follow the event on YouTube, live or recorded. On the other hand, don't expect to test the operating system right away if you are not a developer.
Indeed, as is often the case, Apple has every chance of leaving the field open only to the latter to test watchOS 10 at the beginning, in any case for several weeks. It is only in September that the general public should be able to get up to speed – for the final version at least.
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By : Keleops AG
