WWDC 2021, has begun, and on the very first day Apple launched its most anticipated software including iOS 15, iPadOS 15 & watchOS 8 & macOS Monterey. Apple announced its latest watchOS 8 beta version at WWDC 2021! watchOS 8 beta version is available for developers as of now. But Apple said its public beta version will be available from July 2021.
As it was expected, watchOS 8 has surfaced with a bundle of new features, including new Portraits watch face, sleeping respiratory tracker, new sports modes, and much more.
Firstly, watchOS 8 is coming with a revamped Home App. The revamped Home App will allow users to access & control accessories in a more fine way, by room. That right, with the revamped Home App, users will be able to stream a message either to the entire house or to a particular room.
This can be done using a HomePod, a HomePod mini, or any other personal device.
Further, watchOS 8 brings Portraits Watch Face feature, which will make faces in portrait-mode pictures pop a little, when used as Watch Face. Plus, Apple has given a revamped grid look to your photos. With this new feature, your photos will be arranged under sections such as Selfies, Favourites, Memories, & Shared.
Users will be allowed to add text on pictures using Scribble on the watch itself, and also share those pictures via iMessages & Mail Apps. The new Watch OS 8 comes with GIFs & Emojis support.
Relax a little more in your busy schedule, using Watch OS 8 new Mindfulness Application. It features various Breathing & Reflect exercises, to provide you a little extra piece of peace. With each Reflect session you will receive a peaceful welcome with a pensive view.
The rationale behind this is to provide and invite a positive frame of mind.
The new “sleeping respiratory rate” feature will track your breathing rate during your sleep cycle, and will alert you if something needs to be changed. This will be done by the help of Built-In Accelerometer, which will count “number of breaths per minute” and you can view it in the Health app on your iPhone
The newly added exercise mode include- Tai Chi & Pilates, and these come with custom-built heart rate & motion algorithms support. Lastly, users can now use their Apple Watch to link with smart car keys and Smart Home keys using the “Ultra Wideband technology.”
As amazing as these features sound, for now they are available for developers only. But, its public beta version will be available from next month i.e., July and the global version will come after the Watch Series 7 launch event.
The stable global version of Watch OS 8 will be available as a free software update for Apple Watch Series 3 or later paired with iPhone 6s or later, or devices running on iOS 15. Apple Watch Series 3, Series 4, Series 5, Series 6 and SE users will get watchOS 8 update.
Chetna Singh
A biblomaniac, with utmost love for reading, writing and painting. An asthete and altruistic.
