INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Apple today formally introduced the next generation of Apple Watch devices, the Series 4
Alongside the new devices, the company announced the updated watchOS 5 mobile operating system will ship on September 17.
The new version of
watchOS was first shown off at this year Worldwide Developer Conference keynote, where flagship features like the Walkie-Talkie mode, smart
Siri watch face, updated Podcast app, support for Siri shortcuts, and a &Raise to Speak to Siri& feature were highlighted.
The company
didn''t really spend time reviewing these features today, as the new devices themselves were the focus.
Series 4 Apple Watch devices will
offer 30% more screen space thanks to an edge-to-edge display, as was previously leakedand today confirmed
To take better advantage of that extra room, watchOS 5 will debut a new watch face that lets you pack in a lot more complications.
Now, you
can add all kinds of extra complications to your Series 4 watch face & up to 8 on the new device
Among these, you can add photos of loved ones to the screen which you can tap to connect with, or if you&re traveling, you can customize a
watch face that tracks different time zones
You could also use the extra space to create the ultimate health and fitness watch face, Apple says.
One of the complication setups makes
it easier to connect directly to people from the face, one is a multiple time zone array and one setup is focused on health and fitness.
https://t.co/bsraCoBLLW #AppleEvent pic.twitter.com/Asmb0AB2pl
mdash; TechCrunch (@TechCrunch) September 12, 2018
The modular face will get
an update, too, with more graphical information from apps like stocks, heart rate and activity, and even those from third party developers
Debut developers include MLB At Bat, Qantas, and Life Zone nutrition app.
The Apple Watch Series 4 screens are over 30% larger on each
watch, but the case is actually thinner than the last model
There are also redesigns of all of the Watch apps
The face can contain up to 8 complications at a time.
https://t.co/bsraCoBLLW #AppleEvent pic.twitter.com/AazOvS7X2J
mdash; TechCrunch
(@TechCrunch) September 12, 2018
Other new watch facesdesigned to take advantage of the Series 4 display include a Breathe face, where the
animation is timed around a deep breath, as well as a suite of motion faces (similar to live wallpapers), including Vapor, Liquid Metal,
These react uniquely with the curved edges of the case, Apple says.
WatchOS 5 also becomes a better workout companion with features
likeautomatic workout detection which provides an alert to start a workout while giving retroactive credit, plus new dedicated workout types
Runners will get extended battery life — which is increased to six hours — plus cadence for indoor and outdoor runs, pace alerts for
outdoor runs, and rolling mile pace, which shows pace for the immediately preceding mile.
WatchOS 5 offers a ton of features, many of which
Apple didn''t highlight today due to time constraints
But lists of new features found in beta builds are readily available, as are videos
They&re also available on Apple official watchOS 5 websitehere.
