While the report implies that iOS 15 is gearing up to be a huge overhaul, watchOS 8 looks to be no less amazing either. Apart from introducing additional health and fitness functions, we may see Apple place more focus on the customization of the Apple Watch. And that’s what makes the impending watchOS 8 even more interesting. So are you ready to discover what the next version of watchOS has in store for us? Here is all we know about watchOS 8 ahead of the formal debut, including release date, all-new feature leaks and speculations, compatibility, and more.
watchOS 8: Everything We Know Till Now...
Apple has succeeded in keeping a big proportion of watchOS 8 features under the covers. However, several important features have leaked online, giving us a solid indication of what to anticipate from the upcoming release of watchOS.
watchOS 8 Release Date
Apple is likely to debut watchOS 8 with macOS 12, iOS 15, iPad OS 15, and tvOS 15 at the much-awaited WWDC 2021 development conference that opens beginning June 7 and will continue through June 11. The tech giant will release the watchOS 8 developer beta on June 7, followed by public beta around the end of June or in early July. After months of beta testing, Apple will ultimately bring out watchOS 8 to the public in September or early October.
watchOS 8 Complete Timeline
When will watchOS 8 come out? Apple will launch watchOS 8 at WWDC 2021 on June 7.
watchOS 8 Developer Beta: The Cupertino will roll out the developer beta for testing on June 7, just after the WWDC 2021 keynote address.
watchOS 8 Public Beta: Apple will release the public beta upgrade around the end of June or in the first week of July.
Official Release Date of watchOS 8: The stable upgrade will finally go out to all customers this autumn following months of rigorous beta testing. To be more exact, Apple will unveil watchOS 8 in mid-September or early October.
As is normally the case, Apple will continue to enhance watchOS 8 with regular updates, new features, and bug fixes after the public release. We will keep you informed on them till the next edition comes in 2022.
watchOS 8 Compatible Apple Watch Models
In what might be fantastic news for many Apple Watch customers, watchOS 8 will most likely support all the devices now running watchOS 7. That implies you will receive watchOS 8 update even on your Apple Watch Series 3 that released back in 2017. As the firm still offers the Apple Watch 3, there is a good possibility it won’t be left out, at least this year.
Here is the list of all compatible Apple Watch models that will receive the watchOS 8 update:
Apple Watch Series 3
Apple Watch Series 4
Apple Watch Series 5
Apple Watch Series 6
Apple Watch SE
Apple Watch Series 7 (unannounced)
watchOS 8 Features: Leaks and Rumors
Though Apple has kept most watchOS 8 upgrades under the covers, certain feature leaks have snuck through the gaps. We may expect to see a few of new features in the forthcoming release of watchOS at WWDC 2021. Let’s have a look at what these qualities are:
Blood Sugar Monitoring
Apple Watch is already one of the finest health-focused wearables on the market. But the business is likely to expand its lead with support for blood glucose monitoring on the forthcoming Apple Watch 7. As per reports, the business would utilize a non-invasive optical sensor to detect blood glucose in consumers to assist manage illnesses such as diabetes. This functionality, along with alcohol tracking, would most likely become available through a new app or part of the Health suite in watchOS 8, as per reports.
Assistive Touch
Ahead of its developer conference, the Cupertino company has unveiled an outstanding accessibility feature for Apple Watch owners. Dubbed Assistive Touch, this feature enables users with upper body limb differences to accept calls, manipulate an onscreen pointer, and access the Control Center without touching the display or buttons. They may employ hand motions such as clench or squeeze to move about their wearable. We anticipate this accessibility feature to emerge with watchOS 8, although it might trickle out sooner as well.
We also anticipate to see messaging and calling upgrades, along with enhanced sleep monitoring and additional workout modes for the forthcoming Apple Watch Explorer Edition, a tough form of the wearable.
watchOS 8: What We Would Like to See
Revamped App Icons and UI
Pretty much in line with iOS 15, we anticipate watchOS 8 to undergo a significant UI redesign as well. The Apple Watch icons have looked the same since its introduction, therefore Apple should change the app icons that to be in line with the iOS app icons, which are anticipated to receive a fresh appearance and feel. Though there’s not much info on the UI makeover accessible online, we would want to see a more intuitive and snappier user interface.
Fully Customizable Control Center
More Functional Always-On-Display
The always-on display is one of the favorite Apple Watch features of all time. What I appreciate the most about it is the ability to keep track of time and have the watch face and the most current app at your disposal at all times. While the always-on display in its present configuration offers little space for criticism, I believe a bit more personalization would be fantastic. I would love the opportunity to pick a couple of watch faces that I can automatically cycle between the always-on display. Besides, the ability to highlight your favorite applications instead of only the recently used app would also be good.
Touch ID Biometric Authentication
While iPhones and iPads have received biometric authentication for years, Apple Watch is yet to embrace this function. Though there is a fairly cool “Unlock with iPhone” option that allows you unlock the Apple Watch when you unlock your iPhone. So we would love to have Touch ID functionality on the upcoming Apple Watch.
Apple was just awarded a patent for Touch ID on the Apple Watch. Based on the patent, the fingerprint sensor will be utilized for numerous functions such as device unlocking, user identification, approving transactions, and more in watchOS 8. Besides, you can see other new features, like a native notes app, sound recognition, and more.
Stay Up-to-Date with the Latest watchOS 8 Features
So, that finishes our exhaustive summary of the watchOS 8 speculations. As it’s only a matter of few days until the latest generation of watchOS will finally see the light of the day, additional exciting information are just around the corner. Also, let us know your expectations from the future release of watchOS in the comments area below.