Apple launches watchOS 8 with Mindfulness App, Focus Mode, Message Updates, Find My and Contacts



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Apple today released watchOS 8, the latest version of the watchOS operating system designed to work on modern Apple Watch models. watchOS 8 is compatible with Apple Watch Series 3 and later.

watchOS 8 on Apple Watch function
‌‌WatchOS ‌8 can be downloaded for free through the dedicated Apple Watch app on iPhone by going to General> Software Update. To install the new software, Apple Watch must have at least 50% battery power, it must be placed on a charger, and it must be within range of the iPhone‌‌‌.

Most of the new features in ‌watchOS 8‌ are carried over from iOS 15. A Focus mode reduces distractions and notifications so you can avoid interruptions, and the Wallet app earns digital keys to unlock doors at home, on the go. office and traveling. In the future, you will even be able to add your driver’s license.

The Breathe app is now the Mindfulness app and it has gained a new Breathe and Reflect experience, a feature to help encourage conscious intention. There are two new types of training, Tai Chi and Pilates.

Apple updated the Home app to make it easier to use from the wrist, and there are now Contacts and Find My apps. The Messages app now supports sending GIFs and it is easier to communicate because Scribble and Dictation can be used interchangeably.

A Portrait watch face uses your portraits for a unique, multi-layered look, and the Photos app is easier to navigate and lets you see more of your content. Apple’s release notes for the update are below:

watchOS 8 gives you new ways to stay healthy, active and connected. A redesigned Photos app helps you stay connected to your most treasured memories, and the new Mindfulness app and new types of Tai Chi and Pilates workouts will help you lead a healthy and fit life. And Wallet and Home updates make it easy to get to your home, car, and even the places you love to visit.

Look at the faces
– Portraits Face uses segmentation data from portrait photos taken on iPhone to create an immersive, multi-layered face (Apple Watch Series 4 and later)
– World time dial lets you keep track of the time in 24 different time zones at once (Apple Watch Series 4 and later)

Home
– The status and orders of your home accessories are now displayed at the top of the Home app
– Quick views to see if accessories are on, have a low battery, need a software update, and more
– Props and scenes appear dynamically depending on the time of day and frequency of use
– Dedicated camera room to view all available HomeKit camera feeds in one place, with support for multiple aspect ratios
– The Favorites area gives you access to the scenes and props you use the most

Wallet
– Home keys allow you to press to unlock a supported house or apartment door lock
– Hotel keys allow you to press to unlock your room at participating hotels
– Office keys allow you to press to unlock your office doors for participating company offices
– Car keys with Ultra Wideband on Apple Watch Series 6 allow you to unlock, lock and start your supported vehicle as you approach
– Remote keyless entry functions on your car keys allow you to lock, unlock, honk, preheat your car or open your trunk

Coaching
– New custom algorithms in the Workout app for Tai Chi and Pilates allow precise tracking of calorie measurements
– Automatic outdoor cycling workout detection sends a reminder to start the Workout app, giving you retroactive credit for the exercise already started
– Automatic pause and resume for outdoor cycling workouts
– Improved accuracy of calorie measurements for outdoor cycling workouts while riding an electric bike
– Users 13 and under can now track hiking workouts with more accurate measurements
– Voice feedback announces training milestones using the built-in speaker or connected Bluetooth device

Fitness +
– Guided meditations can help you practice meditation, with audio sessions on Apple Watch and video sessions on iPhone, iPad and Apple TV that guide you through specific themes
– Pilates workouts are now available, with new workouts every week designed to improve strength and flexibility
– Support for Picture-in-Picture display on iPhone, iPad and Apple TV, so you can watch your workout while viewing other content in compatible apps
– Extensive training filters for yoga, strength, core and HIIT workouts, including if equipment is required

mindfulness
– The Mindfulness app includes an improved Breathe experience as well as a new Reflect session
– Breathing sessions contain tips that help add a physical connection to deep breathing practices and new animation to guide your session
– Reflect sessions give you a simple idea to focus your thoughts, as well as a visualization that shows the passage of a minute

To sleep
– Respiratory rate is measured by Apple Watch while sleeping
– Ability to examine respiratory rate while sleeping in the Health app and be notified if a trend has been detected

messages
– Ability to compose or reply to messages using Scribble, dictation and emoji from the same screen
– Ability to adjust dictated text using the digital crown to scroll to where you want to edit
– Support for #images in messages allows you to search for a GIF or select one that you have used recently

Pictures
– Redesigned Photos app lets you view and manage your photo library from your wrist
– Highlights from featured memories and photos, in addition to your favorites, sync to Apple Watch with new content generated daily
– Photos from synced memories will be displayed in a mosaic style grid, highlighting some of your best shots with a larger photo
– Ability to share photos via Messages and Mail

Find my
– The Find Items app allows you to locate items with an AirTag attached and third party products compatible with the Find My network
– Find Devices app helps you locate your lost Apple devices, as well as devices owned by a member of your Family Sharing group
– Find My separation alerts notify you if you leave your Apple device, AirTag or a compatible third-party item behind

Time
– Next hour precipitation notifications alert you when rain or snow is about to start or stop
– Severe weather notifications alert you to certain events including tornadoes, winter storms, flash floods, etc.
– Precipitation table that visually represents the intensity of the rain

Other features and improvements:
– Focus allows you to automatically filter notifications based on your current activity, such as fitness, sleep, games, reading, driving, work or personal time
– Apple Watch automatically aligns to any Focus you’ve set in iOS, iPadOS, or macOS, so you can manage notifications and stay focused
– The Contacts app allows you to access, share and edit your contacts
– Tips app provides collections of helpful tips and suggestions on the best way to use your Apple Watch and its built-in apps
– Redesigned Music app lets you find and listen to music and radio in one place
– Ability to share songs, albums and playlists in Music app via Messages and Mail
– Support for multiple timers, including Siri support for adding labels to timers
– Cycle tracking can now use heart rate data from Apple Watch to improve predictions
– New Memoji stickers to send a shaka, hand gesture, light bulb moment, and more
– Over 40 outfit choices and up to three different colors to customize clothing and headwear for your Memoji stickers
– Real-time measurement of the audio level of your headphones in Control Center while listening to media
– Ability to add transit cards in Wallet for Family Setup users in Hong Kong, Japan and some cities in Mainland China and the United States
– Google account support for Calendar and Mail for Family Setup users
AssistiveTouch allows users with upper limb differences to answer calls, control an onscreen pointer, launch an action menu, and more, using hand gestures like a pinch or squeeze
– Additional option of larger text size available in settings
– Support for ECG app on Apple Watch Series 4 or later in Lithuania
– Support for irregular heartbeat notifications in Lithuania

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