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The Release Candidate version of watchOS 8 has arrived and will be available to the general public on Monday. After three months of beta testing, here’s everything you need to know about Apple’s latest update for Apple Watch.
What’s new with watchOS 8?
While watchOS 7 had a solid update cycle, watchOS 8 just polishes a formula we already know from the latest software updates. This new operating system does not reinvent the wheel but makes the experience of wearing the Apple Watch more enjoyable.
For those with the latest Apple Watch hardware, watchOS 8 brings a number of features and improvements. But it’s also the small tweaks that matter most. Even after all these years, the Apple Watch is built for the little interactions and the little looks, watchOS 8 helps you with just that.
New watch face with more to come
With each new iOS cycle, I’m excited to hear more about Memoji’s new personalization. With watchOS, I always look forward to the new Watch Faces. For the past few months, I’ve been using the old “California” face since Apple only introduced “Portraits” in the beta cycle and has no complications.
With the RC version of watchOS 8, Apple added the long-awaited “World Time” face, which was accidentally displayed during a WWDC21 session. Along with the World Timer and Portraits watch faces, the new Apple Watch Series 7 will also receive its own exclusive watch faces, but these will not be available for older models.
Unfortunately, this year’s watchOS 8 update doesn’t bring as many faces as I expected, so it doesn’t help users have a more personalized laptop, unlike the unique “Artist” faces in the last year.
Always-on Display Upgrades
One of the things that has changed with watchOS 8 is that always-on display lets you see notifications without lifting your wrist. When a new notification arrives, you get a preview of which app it is, then you can lift your wrist or just tap to read what’s new.
It’s convenient and works exactly as expected. Another great feature of watchOS 8 is that Apple has made a new API available to developers. So you will now see a grayed out state from a third-party app instead of the previously used blur and digital clock.
This is useful for apps like Apple Music, where you can press the play button and the response is immediate. In previous versions of watchOS, you had to tap once to wake up the display and then again to actually interact.
All new contacts, weather, photos and Find My Apps
watchOS 8 brings new versions of some of its standard applications. For example, it is now possible to quickly browse, add or edit contacts. The Weather app now has a new icon and supports severe weather notifications.
For the Photos app, it is now possible to view memories, a new mosaic view and share photos via Messages and Mail with just a few clicks. The problem is, you can’t see all of your photos, and for example, if you take a screenshot of your watch, you can’t send the screenshot with the Messages app without using your iPhone. With Apple giving the watch more independence, it’s still missing a thing or two.
The Find My app is now split into three different apps: People, Devices, and Items. It is now easier to find your things, but at the same time, it is not very useful. For example, if I want to locate my AirTag and I’m wearing an Apple Watch Series 6 with a U1 chip, Apple won’t allow me to use Precision Finding. I can only ask him to make a sound or try to find his location on the map.
Breathe deeply with watchOS 8
watchOS 8 focuses even more on the well-being of people. The Breath app is now called Mindfulness, so rather than just taking a minute to relax, users can take a moment to reflect and think about a recent experience that they really enjoyed.
I admit that I don’t care too much about this kind of functionality, but I do know how important it can be to some people. I’ve tried it a few times over the past three months and it’s been fine, but I can’t see myself using it regularly.
Speaking of wellness, Apple is offering two new workouts: Pilates and Tai Chi, which are a great addition amid the pandemic.
Notably, one of my favorite iOS 15 features is also available on watchOS 8: Focus mode.
With this, I can easily switch between different tasks and only get notified of the things that matter most at that time. I really enjoy starting a workout and Focus changes my workout status so no one interrupts me – unless it’s an emergency. Then I can read everything I missed during that hour.
Another small but big addition is that Siri now tells me how my exercise is going: if I have walked another mile, my pace and if any of my rings are closed. This is the wrong fit for AirPods owners, but it has a big impact on my workout routine.
New extension Workouts and Fitness +
During the WWDC21 keynote, Apple announced that Tai Chi and Pilates will be coming to watchOS 8. While these are not my favorite workouts, the company announced at their “California Streaming” event that they will be bringing it to watchOS 8. charging e-bike drills and extending fall detection to support bikes.
Apple also announced more workouts coming to Fitness +, and as a Brazilian it mostly announced that it would be expanding Fitness + to other countries later this year, including Brazil.
With this, my Apple Watch will become more with features like “Time to Walk” and Fitness + workouts. While I still can’t try Fitness + now, it’s a great addition for those who are considering downloading watchOS 8 and will be able to use the service sooner rather than later.
Where are all the big changes in watchOS 8?
As I said before, watchOS 8 does not change how the operating system works. It doesn’t give a new approach to docking and one of the main features of the watch was removed with watchOS 7: Force Touch support.
There are still some cool things to come on the watch that are delayed. For example, with proper integration with HomeKit, if someone rings your smart doorbell, you might see options like unlocking the door or turning on the entrance lights. There’s also a new camera room, and watchOS 8 knows which scenes you’re most likely to use depending on the time of day.
In a future update, the Wallet app will also become more useful for US residents. The app will store your home key and ID cards, and Apple has already revealed which states will be the first to support this feature, and you can read more about that here.
watchOS 8: is it worth updating or not?
watchOS 8 is all about small changes that will improve your preview experience with the watch. This year, Apple is focused on improving quality of life and larger screens with the Apple Watch Series 7.
If you’ve enjoyed watchOS 7 before but want to do a little more with your watch, stay more connected, learn more about your routine, and know when to take a break, watchOS 8 will help you with it all.
Release date and device compatibility
Apple will launch watchOS 8 on September 20. All Apple watches compatible with watchOS 7 will be able to upgrade to watchOS 8. Here is the full list:
- Apple Watch Series 3 (2017)
- Apple Watch Series 4 (2018)
- Apple Watch Series 5 (2019)
- Apple Watch SE (2020)
- Apple Watch Series 6 (2020)
Unlike the iPadOS, iOS, and macOS updates, Apple doesn’t make it clear what functions will be available for each watch. For example, the Apple Watch Series 3 was not supported for several complications last year.
Conclude
Even though watchOS 8 is a small upgrade, there are plenty of features to be excited about. Those who already own an Apple Watch with an always-on display will see a big improvement in how this technology works.
All the wellness features Apple continues to add transform your watch into a more personal and useful wearable device. With redesigned watch faces for the Apple Watch Series 7 and an all-new Portraits watch face, you can stay healthy, informed, and ready for your day with watchOS 8.
Are you excited about watchOS 8? are you going to update? Tell us in the comment section below.
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