Cupertino-based technology major Apple has announced that it will release the latest watchOS 5 to previous iterations on September 17.
The new watchOS 5 comes with a boatload of new features to older Watch versions including the Walkie-Talkie feature, new workout options and more. It will be available to Watch Series 1, Watch Series 2 and Watch Series 3 (review).
Apple watchOS 5.0: Key features you should know
Activity Sharing:
Apple's new watchOS v5.0 brings new features to Activity Sharing, which enables users to invite another Apple Watch wearer to compete in a seven-day Activity competition, earning points for closing Activity Rings, while receiving coaching notifications to help stay engaged and win the week.
Auto Workout detection: This is an intuitive feature, which will definitely come in handy for an absent-minded like me. Its been only a few months since I have started focusing on fitness, but I keep forgetting to switch on the running mode whenever I plan to go for a jog and only to realise after the completion of the workout. It's really frustrating for not knowing how much distance I ran and active calories burned.
Now, the soon-to-be-released watchOS will bring the auto-workout detection, which provides an alert to start the correct workout and gives retroactive credit. This feature also offers a reminder to end workout sessions after a period of inactivity if the user forgets.
Walkie-Talkie: This feature enables users to communicate with voice with just a tap on the wrist. This new watch-to-watch connection is fast, personal and can be activated between any compatible Apple Watch users around the world over Wi-Fi or cellular, the company said.
Improved Siri: New watchOS 5.0 also brings improved Siri with predictive and proactive shortcuts throughout the day based on routines, locations and information such as heart rate after a workout, commute time with Maps at the appropriate time of day or sports scores for a favourite team. The Siri watch face will also show actionable content from favourite third-party apps such as Nike+ Run Club, Glow Baby and Mobike.
Apple Watch is your new ID: The company in collaboration with college universities has come up with a new feature for WatchOS 5 that lets students sync their ID to Watch. Going forward, they can just wave their wrist to gain access to the college premises including the library, dorms and events, and pay for snacks, laundry and dinners. They just have to add their ID details to Wallet on Apple Watch. However, this will be limited to select schools in the US.
Podcasts: For the first time, watchOS 5 brings the Podcasts to Apple Watch. Users can stay connected to the stories, personalities and news they love.
Improved notifications: With the new watchOS 5, users can respond right within notifications from many of their favourite apps. They can change the time and party size for their upcoming reservations and other stuff. Like in the iOS 12, the new watchOS will group all notifications from the same app together. So users need not waste time scroll through the messages and be able to see more in small confines of the Watch display.
View web content: For the first, users will be able to view web content on the watch display. If you get a message containing a website link, just tap it for a view that's optimised for the watch's smaller screen.
Pace alerts: Once you choose a target pace, Apple Watch will tap you on the wrist to let you know if you're behind or ahead of where you want to be.
