The Apple Watch is now an extremely popular device. Over time, it has become best known for its features like activity tracking, messaging, and calling. Reports suggest that Apple is planning a major overhaul for the watch’s software, watchOS 10, this year. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, in his Power On newsletter, has shared some information on the changes in the user interface that users can expect from watchOS 10.
Widgets to be a central part of the watchOS 10 interface
Gurman explains that watchOS 10 will see the return of glances. To a fashion that is. But this time as “widgets”. This means that users will be able to scroll through a series of different widgets, such as activity tracking, calendar appointments, and data from third-party apps without launching the full app. It will be similar to “widget stacks,” a feature currently available on iPhone and iPad. This new design is intended to give users quicker access to bits of information, without requiring them to open up dedicated apps. The new interface will be available as an overlay for any watch face.
The Digital Crown’s function may change
Apple is also considering changing the purpose of the Apple Watch’s Digital Crown. At the moment, pressing the Digital Crown takes you to the Apple Watch’s app launcher. However, in watchOS 10, Apple plans for the Digital Crown to instead launch widgets. This is reminiscent of the “Glances” feature from the original Apple Watch. It allowed users to access information quickly by swiping up from the bottom of the watch. It seems like the feature may be about to make a comeback in watchOS 10. Albeit in a new form.
The AppleTLDR take
The changes in watchOS 10 are expected to make the Apple Watch more user-friendly and convenient. With widgets as a central part of the interface and quick access to important information, it should make for a more streamlined experience. The Digital Crown’s function change will however take some adjusting for existing users. For that reason, it sounds like the feature will be optional and users will be able to change the function of the crown to behave in the way that it currently does. Watch this space 🥁