DRIVING FORWARD WITH watchOS 6
Though the Apple Watch Series 5 may be short
on new hardware, it’s the software that takes
the experience to new heights. What was absent
at this year’s keynote, however, was any word
on sleep tracking on the Apple Watch, a
feature that had been widely rumored ahead
of its release. Indeed, Apple calls the feature
Bed in Time Tracking, allowing users to track
their sleep cycles if they wear an Apple Watch
to bed. Fitbit, Garmin, and Samsung all offer
native sleep-tracking on their smartwatches, so
it’s disappointing to hear that the technology
was not ready for release alongside the Apple
Watch Series 5. However, we’ll no doubt hear
more in the coming months and perhaps see
the technology introduced as a point release,
as sources inside Apple have confirmed that
its sleep-tracking functionality won’t require
special hardware to work.
What we do know for certain, however, is that
watchOS 6 takes the Apple Watch to new
heights. With new health and fitness features
such as a Cycle Tracking app, which gives users
the ability to log important information related
to their menstrual cycles, and a Noise app,
which helps users understand the ambient
sound levels in environments such as concerts
and sporting events that could negatively
impact hearing, there’s lots to be excited
about. Activity Trends, which comes to the
iPhone with iOS 13, offers a long-term view of
users activity patterns to help them understand
their progress, and with dynamic new
customizable watch faces, including Meridian,
Modular Compact and Solar Dial, the Apple
Watch has never been more personal.