At WWDC 2024, Apple released watchOS 11, a software upgrade for Watch models that are compatible. Improved customisation, enhanced support during pregnancy, and a new Vitals app are all included in the upgrade. The Vital app monitors blood oxygen saturation levels, heart rate, breathing, and length of sleep—among the health parameters gathered by the wearable. Apple also unveils a new tool for exercises called Training Load, which provides data on strain caused by activities over the previous seven days. With the Apple Watch’s customisable fitness rings, users will be able to halt their training without losing their award streaks. Check-In, which enables users to share progress with others until their workout concludes, and the Translate app, which offers translations for 20 languages, are examples of safety and customisation features. Better customisation is also provided by an enhanced Photos watch face and Live Activities for applications like Uber in this version. Moreover, Widgets will be automatically shown by the Smart Stack feature based on the user’s routine, time, and location.
In This Article
Vitals App
With watchOS 11, the new Vitals app gives Apple Watch users a way to quickly view key health metrics like heart rate, respiratory rate, wrist temperature, sleep duration, and blood oxygen. The app analyses these metrics to provide better context and alert users when they are out of their typical range. Users are notified and sent a message outlining the possible connections between changes in these metrics and other elements of their lives when two or more of the metrics are outside of the range. With an algorithm from the Apple Heart and Movement Study, Apple’s health features are grounded in research and clinical expert input. This algorithm is used to inform out-of-range classifications and alerts.
Also Read: Apple forays into AI space with Apple Intelligence: Here is everything about it
Support for pregnant users
Pregnant users can track their physical and emotional health with additional assistance from Apple with the arrival of watchOS 11, iOS 18, and iPadOS 18. Users of iPhones or iPads can record details about their pregnancies, such as symptoms and gestational age, using the Health app. An additional tool for tracking symptoms and high heart rate thresholds is the Apple Watch app Cycle Tracking. Because they are more susceptible to mental health issues like depression, pregnant users should also be encouraged to complete monthly mental health exams. An iPhone’s Walking Steadiness feature can warn pregnant women who may be at risk of falling during the third trimester of their pregnancy.
Training Load
Training load is a new feature of WatchOS 11 that allows users to track the impact of their workouts over time on their bodies. This application assists users in comparing the strain from workouts over the previous 28 days to the strain from workouts over the previous seven days, allowing them to make well-informed decisions regarding their training regimen. Following every workout, a new effort rating that tracks difficulty on a scale from 1 to 10 will be provided. An algorithm is used in popular cardio-based exercises to automatically create an estimated effort rating that may be modified to take soreness or stress into account. At the end of each session, users can still provide an effort rating for workouts without an automatic estimate.
According to the company, Apple Watch will set a 28-day training load by rating your effort and how long you work out. Users can determine whether their body is currently under more or less strain by comparing this load to their training load from the previous seven days. More information on the possible effects on fitness, if training continues at that level, can be found in the iPhone Fitness app. Users can examine their training load within the Vitals app, as well as alongside Vitals app information in the Activity app on Apple Watch or the Fitness app on iPhone. This aids users in modifying their training for the best outcomes.
Customisable Activity Rings
Users of Apple Watches may now personalise their Activity rings to suit their preferences, pausing them for different lengths of time without interfering with their award streaks. The rings can also be personalised according to the day of the week, giving just the appropriate amount of inspiration when needed. Users may now add new metrics to the Summary tab of the iPhone Fitness app, including running, hiking, swimming, and mindfulness exercises. Apple Fitness+ has been revamped in iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and tvOS 18 with features like a customised For You area, Explore and Library spaces, search functions, and improved awards to help users stay motivated and consistent with their exercise practice.
Smart Stack and Photos Face
With Apple WatchOS 11, the Smart Stack provides intelligent widgets such as Shazam, Photos, and Distance. It can also provide widget recommendations based on time, date, location, and daily activities. Users may now interact with apps straight from the Smart Stack with the new widgets, and Live Activities is now accessible from within the Smart Stack. Using machine learning, the Photos watch face analyses millions of images to determine the ideal composition based on factors including composition, aesthetics, and facial reactions. By customising the face with different font choices, time sizes, layouts, and Dynamic mode, users can make sure they always see fresh visuals as they raise their wrists. Users may access Apple Watch functionalities more easily thanks to the Smart Stack.
Safety and customisation features
Check-In, a feature that lets people stay safe and connected while exercising, is now available for Apple Watch. Similar to the iPhone, users may initiate a check using Messages or access Check-In through the Workout app. With the Translate app, users may get a translation for up to 20 supported languages right on their wrist with the Apple Watch. When consumers travel to a place where there is a language barrier, Apple Watch can immediately recommend a Translate app widget thanks to the intelligence of the Smart Stack. Romanization for languages written in the Latin alphabet is now available through Translate. Users can navigate through any app using the double touch gesture, which makes using the Apple Watch with one hand easier.
