Apple today announced the next major operating system for the Apple Watch family: watchOS 7. Notably, the update gives the Apple Watch support for sleep tracking, which is easily one of the wearable's most requested features. And because of the world we're currently living in, the Apple Watch will also help you wash your hands.
Sleep tracking is easily watchOS 7's biggest new feature. Much like other fitness trackers and wearables, the Apple Watch will log the amount of sleep you get each night. In addition, it will aim to help you establish a bed time routine with a Wind Down mode that places your phone in do not disturb mode and brings up shortcuts for tasks you'd normal perform before bed.
Given the Apple Watch tends to be a one-day-per-charge kind of device, it will alert you if your battery is at under 30% near bedtime, and you'll be reminded to charge when you wake up. Your iPhone will ping you a notification when your Watch is back at 100%.
Handwashing is more important than ever right now, and as such, Apple is integrating a handwashing mode straight into watchOS 7. Your Apple Watch will be able to detect when you're washing your hands through a combination of sensors and microphones, and will then start a 20-second timer. If you've stopped washing your hands early, it will bug you to keep going and kill those germs dead. You'll also get reminders to wash your hands when you get home.
Watch faces are getting a little bit more customisable, with apps now able to expose multiple complications. Watch faces will also be easier to share; you can send them via a message, post a link online, and there'll even be curated watch faces in the App Store.
watchOS 7 will also support a few extra workout modes including dance, core training, functional strength training, and cooldown routines. The Activity app is being rebranded Fitness, and getting a simplified design.
watchOS 7 will launch alongside iOS 14 later this year. It will run on Apple Watch Series 3, Series 4, and Series 5. Apple Watch Series 1 and Series 2 will not be able to upgrade to watchOS 7.
Alex Choros
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