watchOS 11:
Apple recently introduced watchOS 11, bringing exciting new features to the Apple Watch. With advanced health and fitness insights, increased personalization options, and enhanced connectivity, watchOS 11 promises to be a game-changer. Let’s explore the key features of this update.
1. The Vitals App: Your Health at a Glance
The new Vitals app in watchOS 11 allows users to quickly view key health metrics like heart rate, respiratory rate, wrist temperature, sleep duration, and blood oxygen levels. It provides context for these metrics, alerting users when two or more are out of their typical range and explaining possible reasons, such as changes in elevation, alcohol consumption, or illness. Developed with input from clinical experts, this app helps users make informed decisions about their daily health.
2. Additional Support During Pregnancy
Pregnant users get extra support with watchOS 11. By logging a pregnancy in the Health app, the Cycle Tracking app on Apple Watch shows gestational age and allows symptom logging. The app also prompts users to review their high heart rate notification threshold, since heart rate tends to increase during pregnancy. Monthly reminders for mental health assessments and alerts for potential fall risks in the third trimester are also included.
3.Training Load:
Training Load is a new feature that measures the intensity and duration of workouts over time. It helps users understand how their workouts are impacting their bodies. Users can rate their workout effort on a scale from 1 to 10, and the app uses this data along with other metrics to provide insights.
Training Load compares the last seven days of activity with the previous 28 days, helping users adjust their training for better results.
4. Customizable Activity Rings
Activity rings are now more customizable. Users can pause their rings for a day, week, month, or more without affecting their award streaks. They can also set different goals for each day of the week, providing motivation that fits their schedule and needs. The Fitness app on iPhone allows further customization of the Summary tab to show exactly what users want to see.
5. Personalized Smart Stack and Photos Face
The Smart Stack in watchOS 11 is even more intelligent, suggesting widgets based on time, date, location, and daily routines. New widgets like Shazam, Photos, and Distance are available. The Photos face uses machine learning to analyze thousands of photos and select the best ones based on composition and facial expressions. Users can further personalize this face with different time sizes, layouts, font choices, and more.
6. Enhanced Connectivity and Safety
Check In is now available on Apple Watch, allowing users to share their location with friends or family during workouts. The Translate app also comes to Apple Watch, supporting translation for 20 languages. The Smart Stack suggests the Translate app when users are in a location with a different language. The double tap gesture can now be used to scroll through any app, making it easier to interact with the watch one-handed.
7. New Workout Types and Features
The Workout app supports new types of workouts, such as Soccer, American Football, Australian Football, Outdoor Hockey, Lacrosse, Skiing, Snowboarding, Golf, and more. Users can track distance using enhanced GPS positioning and see route maps for more workout types. Custom Workouts are now available for Pool Swims, with interval-based workout support and haptic signals.
8. Apple Maps Enhancements
Apple Maps now offers hikes for all U.S. national parks, which can be saved to Apple Watch and accessed offline. Users can create walking routes within the Maps app on iPhone and navigate them with Apple Watch. This feature ensures users can explore new trails without needing their iPhone.
9. Summarized Notifications
Summarized notifications from iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max are now forwarded to Apple Watch. Enhanced ticketing provides detailed information about events in Apple Wallet, such as venue opening times and show start times. A Live Activity will start at the event, showing seat details and other important information at the top of the Smart Stack.
10. Tap to Cash and Developer Tools
With Tap to Cash, users can send and receive Apple Cash by holding their Apple Watch near another Apple Watch or iPhone. watchOS 11 includes new APIs for developers, allowing them to create intelligent and interactive widgets for the Smart Stack and define actions for the double tap gesture.
11. Redesigned Apple Fitness+
Apple Fitness+ has been redesigned to help users stay motivated and consistent with their fitness routine. Updates include a personalized For You space, Explore and Library spaces, search features, and enhanced awards. The redesign aims to make it easier for users to find and engage with workout content.
WatchOS 11 brings a wealth of new features and improvements to the Apple Watch, making it an even more essential tool for health, fitness, and connectivity. Whether you’re looking to track your health metrics, customize your fitness goals, or stay connected on the go, watchOS 11 has something for everyone.