Like iOS 10, tvOS 10 and macOS Sierra, watchOS 3 is a major update that pushes Apple’s wearable platform forward. You’ll find that, even in this early beta, the experience is much better than previous versions of watchOS.
Apple has worked hard to improve the performance of Apple Watch apps, and it shows. It has also striven to improve the overall usability of the Apple Watch by implementing several new interface changes.
Whereas watchOS 2 laid some of the foundations for this update, overall I believe the consensus among users regarding that release was one of disappointment. watchOS 3, on the other hand, seems like it provides enough new features and performance improvements to significantly enhance the usability of the Apple Watch.
Have a look at our hands-on video walkthrough as we showcase watchOS 3’s snappy performance, its new Control Center feature, fast watch face switching, improved messaging app with scribble keyboard, and more.
Video walkthrough
Subscribe to our YouTube channel for more hands-on videos and reviews
Performance & Control
- Faster performance and navigation
- New application loading view when launching apps on watchOS
- Control Center
- Side button invokes dock instead of friends list
Music
- New Music complication available on watch faces
- Use Time Travel to see what music you played last
Watch Faces
- New Apple Watch faces available: Activity Digital, Activity Analog, Numerals, Minnie Mouse
- New Face Gallery
- Quickly switching between watch faces
Complications
- New small app shortcut complications for Find My Friends, Heart rate, Home, Mail, Maps, Messages, Music, Phone, Reminders, Remote, Stocks, Weather Conditions and Workout.
- Two individual complications can now be added to the Timelapse watch face
New apps
- New Reminders app
- New Find My Friends app
- Breathe app
- Heart rate Standalone app
- Home app
App updates
- Messages app updates
- Activity Sharing
- Activity app optimized for wheelchair use
- View five activity metrics at once and highlight most important metric
- Apple watch auto pauses/resumes when you stop workouts
Settings
- New Wake screen to show last app options setting
- Screenshots disabled by default
Miscellaneous
- Medical ID on power off screen
Coming soon
- Auto unlock with macOS
It’s an exciting time to be an Apple Watch owner. watchOS 3 is a big upgrade across the board, and even in its early beta stages, it’s quite clear that Apple is starting to refine its wearable OS into a much more usable and enjoyable product.
Other recommended videos
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
Comments