After years of holding out, I lately upgraded my Apple Watch, and rapidly discovered that leaping from the Apple Watch Sequence 6 to the Sequence 10 is a journey of each massive and small adjustments. It’s nonetheless the identical Apple Watch, however larger and lighter. It’s additionally lastly gentle sufficient that I can put on it to mattress, and get a sleep evaluation report every night time. Truthfully, I simply upgraded my Apple Watch as a result of the battery was dying on my outdated one, however now I am glad I did.
Whereas it is easy to speak concerning the up to date kind issue, I’ve additionally seen that my improve to the Sequence 10 has introduced with it just a few smaller perks that I really feel aren’t talked about sufficient. A few of these aren’t unique to the Sequence 10, however they’re entrance and heart on it: These are the little conveniences that I’ve come to understand since upgrading to the brand new Apple Watch.
The Apple Watch speaker, unchained
Credit score: Khamosh Pathak
Earlier than the Sequence 10, the Apple Watch’s built-in speaker was restricted to taking calls, and for sounding out notification alarms. And I fairly preferred that I might take calls with out whereas away from my cellphone.
However if you happen to’re utilizing the Sequence 10 or the Extremely 2, now you can play all kinds of sounds from the audio system. It really works on Apple’s personal apps, in fact, like Podcasts and Music. But in addition for third-party apps, in the event that they assist it. YouTube Music works, and so does Spotify, although provided that you’re paying for Premium. If you happen to use a media app usually, verify to see if the speaker output works.
A sleeper hit for me has been Audible and Zenitizer, my meditation app of selection. I now don’t contact my iPhone in any respect when beginning my meditation routine. Zenitizer is a guidance-free meditation app, however I do use it to play background nature sounds as one thing to give attention to, which is easy sufficient to do it on the Apple Watch audio system.
Pictures, the superior watch face
Credit score: Khamosh Pathak
I’ve been making an attempt for the previous 10 years now, however I can by no means actually nail a watch face config that I like. It’s onerous to arrange a watch face that you simply like and that’s nonetheless helpful, loaded with all of the problems that you simply like.
So, I’ve given up, and embraced the newly up to date Pictures watch face. If you happen to haven’t tried the brand new model in watchOS 11 but, you must. It does all of the heavy lifting for you. First, discover it in your iPhone, from the Watch app. Right here, you possibly can inform it to circle between images of Nature, Cities, or an individual. It’ll routinely recommend the title of your accomplice or your loved ones members. Then, I recommend leaving the clock font on Dynamic, after which you’ll complication or two in order for you.
On daily basis, your watch face will now cycle via a distinct set of images, cropped in a method that appears stunning on the Apple Watch. The font will likely be interspersed dynamically with the picture background, too. So that you’ll see it peeking out of the horizon on a sundown picture, or out of your spouse’s curly hair (my private favourite). Fairly good to have a look at all through the day.
Credit score: Khamosh Pathak
If watch face problems aren’t figuring out for you, you possibly can flip to widgets. Launched in watchOS 10, they create a small model of iPhone widgets to the Apple Watch. You possibly can entry them by swiping up on the watch face, or by turning the Digital Crown.
The primary widget allows you to add app shortcuts, after which it’s your playground. Your Apple Watch will routinely present you widgets primarily based on the time of the day, or context. However you’re free so as to add and pin widgets as you need.
What do you assume thus far?
For me, widgets have grow to be my command heart. Nearly each interplay begins with my watch begins with widgets. I take advantage of them to open the Exercises app, to verify the climate, to begin my meditation timer, to regulate my podcasts and timers, and to see my health exercise.
My solely difficulty right here is that the widget house is kind of restricted. You possibly can solely add as much as eight widgets (plus the problems shortcut widget on the prime). I take advantage of seven widgets proper now, so I’m fairly near the restrict. I hope Apple extends this restrict within the subsequent watchOS replace.
Offline playback and the flexibility to depart your iPhone behind
Credit score: Khamosh Pathak
I don’t have the mobile Apple Watch, however I nonetheless take pleasure in leaving my iPhone behind and relying solely on my watch. Plus, the Apple Watch’s reference to the iPhone is kind of restricted, anyway. Typically the Apple Watch fails to attach even after I’m in an adjoining room (concrete partitions may be the rationale there). It is good to get used to utilizing it by itself.
My favourite factor about utilizing an Apple Watch by itself? You possibly can load it up with media and podcasts. It’s not a single button press, and even essentially a simple course of. However if you happen to open a suitable media app in your Apple Watch, and likewise in your iPhone, there is a good likelihood the app gives you directions on tips on how to sync audio recordsdata and podcasts. Overcast, my podcast consumer of selection, does this fairly effectively. It takes a very long time to sync up between my units, however after that, you possibly can go to the Settings part to allow the function that routinely downloads the 20 newest episodes from any playlist onto your Watch (when it’s linked to wifi, and charging).
Within the Music app, open any playlist, faucet the three-dotted Menu icon and faucet Obtain. Apple’s Podcasts app will routinely obtain episodes in your Up Subsequent queue, however you too can choose exhibits to all the time obtain to your Watch. From the Watch app on iPhone, go to My Watch > Podcasts > Add Reveals.
Double-tap grows on you
Credit score: Khamosh Pathak
Lastly, I need to discuss concerning the humble little double-tap function that has come in useful for me in a few essential conditions. This function is on the market on Apple Watch Sequence 9 and better, and allows you to faucet your index finger and your thumb twice, within the air, to do a significant motion in your display screen. You should use it to select up a name, finish a name, to get up the Apple Watch, and even to scroll lists. For instance, you possibly can double-tap as soon as to get up the display screen, do it once more to open the widgets display screen, and preserve scrolling via. Not precisely revolutionary, however fairly helpful when you may have your palms full.
