Apple’s watchOS 10 for its Apple Watch is turning out to be a notable upgrade. At the Worldwide Developers Conference, Apple previewed the new improvements to its smartwatch operating system. These include updated user interfaces, new widgets, refreshed first-party apps, and other features.

The New User Interface

Although the Apple Watch received significant updates and a larger screen size than Apple Watch Ultra, the user interface had not seen a sizable update for many years. To address this, Apple has introduced new widgets in watchOS 10. Users can now preview updates in a familiar format. They can scroll through various widgets for common activities (e.g. viewing weather or calendar appointments, checking stocks, activity tracking, and more).

Widgets and Digital Crown

Accessing the new watchOS 10 widgets is now even easier. Users can access these widgets with a simple turn of the Digital Crown. The data will be readily accessible with the “Smart Stack” interface. This interface brings the widget’s proactive and relevant information to the watch’s face. The machine learning will update widgets as needed throughout the day.

App Store Shift

Third-party app makers often realized that they could reach their users through notifications on the Apple Watch and didn’t need to maintain a fully native app. Apple doubled down on this shift by focusing new updates to watchOS10. The introduction of new widgets, is one example of how launching apps do not have to be the main way of delivering information.

Refreshed First-Party Apps

Apple has refreshed its core smartwatch apps, including World Clock, Activity, and Maps. These come with new background colors that reflect the time of day and the ability to easily see friends’ different time zones. There is also a new trophy case, full-screen views when rotating the Digital Crown, and Apple Fitness+ trainer tips.

New Watch Faces and Cycling Features

Apple has introduced a new colorful Palette watch face and Snoopy and Woodstock watch face. The latter features the characters interacting with the watch hands, reacting to weather conditions, or getting active with the user exercise. The Apple Watch has also gained a new Cycling workout feature, including a new workout view and metrics. The machine learning algorithms that combine sensor data from Apple Watch and bike sensors, can estimate Functional Threshold Power (FTP). This metric displays personalized power zones to cyclists who want to track their performance.

Compass App Updates

Lastly, the Compass app automatically generates two new waypoints. One waypoint shows the last place you had a cell signal (Last Cellular Connection Waypoint). The other shows where on your route, you can make an emergency call (Last Emergency Call Waypoint). Also, with altimeter data, you can view your saved waypoints with an Elevation view.

Overall, the watchOS 10 updates will impact how users experience Apple’s popular wearable. It introduces an exciting user interface that focuses on delivering information without relying on fully native apps. Its refreshing of first-party apps and introduction of new features, such as cycling metrics and compass app updates, highlights Apple’s commitment to improving the product.