Apple is getting ready to announce watchOS 7 subsequent month, the subsequent main replace to the Apple Watch working system. And whereas 9to5Mac has already revealed some exclusive details concerning the upcoming software program, developer David Smith has shared some interesting thoughts on what must be improved in watchOS 7 primarily based on his expertise creating apps for Apple Watch.
David Smith is accountable for apps like Pedometer++, Workouts++, Sleep++, Audiobooks, and Watchsmith — which has been recently covered here. Watchsmith, particularly, is the app that made the developer rethink some facets of his imaginative and prescient for the way forward for Apple Watch given its complexity.
He begins by saying that Apple ought to “sherlock” some builders extra typically, which principally means replicating third-party app options proper within the system. Whereas this can be thought of unfavorable by some builders, having new built-in options is at all times a superb factor.
At first it at all times feels a bit tough, like one thing was stolen from me. Then it feels actually cool to have constructed one thing that Apple selected to emulate. Then it often finally ends up being a superb factor for my app.
David hopes to lastly see an official sleep monitoring system for Apple Watch this yr. Having a tool that analyzes sleep high quality could be extraordinarily helpful to assist customers keep wholesome and enhance their habits.
He factors out that sleep monitoring is technically attainable, as he created his personal app for that, however Apple has most likely determined to carry off on the characteristic till they’ve suitable {hardware}. The battery of present Apple Watch fashions can barely final two full days (relying on use). Extra than simply sleep monitoring, he expects a brand new sleep “ring” and a characteristic that will recommend when it’s time to sleep primarily based on how lengthy you slept final evening.
Talking of rings, David considers the exercise rings extraordinarily “rigid”. When you can change your motion targets by the energy you need, the Stand and Train rings are the identical for all Apple Watch customers. Folks recovering from sickness or harm could wish to cut back these targets to maintain them motivated, so it might probably even be thought of an accessibility request.
After attaining all of the targets for six consecutive days, he believes that watchOS ought to provide an “earned relaxation day” as he calls it. That choice has been carried out in David’s Pedometer++ app, and it permits customers to get better and reenergize as soon as every week with out shedding their month-to-month streak.
As for the watch faces, the developer requests the flexibility to supply a number of problems with a 3rd get together app. Proper now, solely Apple apps can provide totally different problems of the identical sort, similar to the Climate and Clock app does. Extra customizable watch faces would even be a terrific addition to watchOS 7, however that sounds actually unlikely.
One other criticism reported is concerning the unreliable complication refresh system, which regularly fails to replace problems information. Personally, I’ve a number of associated points with my Apple Watch, and generally I’ve to open the apps manually in order that problems could be up to date.
Apple Watch already gives some fundamental psychological well being options with the Breathe app, however David means that Apple ought to add guided meditation. As well as, he claims that watchOS 7 must also embody suggestions and reminders about diet. Right here, on my Apple Watch, I take advantage of WaterMinder to remind me to drink water in the course of the day, however a characteristic like that must be carried out into the system.
Whereas I don’t see the Apple Watch ever being a full blown meals tracker, I do assume it ought to do extra on this axis of health. Basic items like encouraging you to drink water or comparable can be a welcome inclusion. What we eat/drink might be extra necessary to our total well being than our each day train, but it isn’t touched in any respect by watchOS but. Which seems like a missed alternative for our “good well being guardian”.
He additionally endorses choices similar to good alarms, a extra complicated and detailed standing bar, higher automated exercise detection, and true independence from the iPhone.
What we already find out about watchOS 7
Primarily based on a leaked beta model of iOS 14, 9to5Mac has found a few of Apple’s plans for the Apple Watch and watchOS 7 this yr. We all know that Apple is engaged on a “kids mode” so mother and father can arrange one other Apple Watch with their iPhones, along with Exercise rings tailored for youngsters.
watchOS 7 can be anticipated to incorporate new watch faces and an option to share them with different folks. References to the long-awaited sleep monitoring mode have been additionally discovered within the iOS 14 code, however we don’t know if it’s deliberate to work with present Apple Watch fashions or simply with the brand new Apple Watch Collection 6 that will probably be introduced later this yr.
What do you count on for watchOS 7? Tell us within the feedback under.
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