watchOS 7 introduces sleep tracking, handwashing detection and new customization features

Monday, 22 June 2020 at 16:28

After a long waiting, Apple WWDC 2020 finally happened and brought a new set of goodies for Apple devices enthusiasts. Apart from introducing iOS 14, iPadOS 14, and new features for iMessage, the company also revealed a brand new version of its smartwatch operating system - watchOS 7. The new Apple Watch firmware brings enhanced customization features and powerful new health and fitness resources. According to the company, personalization will be taken to a new level with watchOS 7. It includes shareable and discoverable watch face configurations. Moreover, the update brings sleep tracking, automatic handwashing detection, new workout types including dance, and a new hearing health feature with overall well-being and privacy in mind. The company also updated Maps with cycling directions and Siri now offers seamless language translation.

“We’re energized by the positive impact Apple Watch is having on our customers and are excited to deliver meaningful new tools that support their health, fitness, and wellness,” said Jeff Williams, Apple’s chief operating officer. “watchOS 7 brings sleep tracking, automatic handwashing detection, and new workout types together with a whole new way to discover and use watch faces, helping our users stay healthy, active, and connected.”

Without further ado, let's dive in the goodies introduced in watchOS 7.

New shareable Watch Faces

Apple Watches are the central and most important part of the overall experience. It provides customers with valuable information at a glance, the possibility of customizing those faces is vital for making the Apple Watch yours. The new firmware version offers new ways to discover and share unique combinations and allows you to configure the watch face to suit your activity and lifestyle. Apple wants to offer an infinite set of customizable and personalized faces. The new face can be shared through Messager or Mail applications and can also be discovered through the App Store or even from links through websites and Social Media channels.

apple watch watchos7 share add watch face screen 06222020 carouseljpglarge

The new firmware offers updates to faces allowing deep personalization and greater access to your favorite applications. The beautifully detailed and ultraprecise Chronograph Pro includes a tachymeter to calculate speed based on time traveled over a fixed distance, the Photos face offers color filters, and the bold X-Large face has been further improved. This is just the beginning as developers will soon explore all the features and bring more faces to Apple Watch.

Privacy

An important part of watchOS 7 is the new privacy features introduced with the software. Apple states that security and privacy is one of its biggest concerns. It's even more important when it comes to health data, so all health features are designed with privacy in mind. Health data is encrypted on the device or in iCloud with iCloud sync. This date is always in the user's control.

Additional watchOS 7 features:

For optimal convenience, while biking, cycling directions are available right on the wrist.

Customers can now use Siri to translate many languages conveniently from the wrist. The feature uses Apple Neural Engine for faster and more reliable processing when dictating messages. Moreover, the Apple Watch now supports Announce Messages with Siri.

Developers can create graphic complications with SwiftUI, and new developer tools such as Xcode Previews.

New Mobility Metrics available in the Health app include low-range cardio fitness, walking speed as well as stair-descent speed, and many others.

The first public beta

The first developer beta of watchOS 7 will be out later today. However, this isn't the only good part about watchOS 7 reveal. Apart from the developer beta, the company will provide a public beta in the next month. watchOS 7 will support Apple Watches from Series 3 onward.