During Apple’s World Wide Developers Conference keynote, Apple unveiled the newest version of watchOS called “watchOS 26.”
The reason it is called watchOS 26 is because Apple is trying to streamline all of its operating systems so they are all in order together, therefore, watchOS 26 it is.
With that said, watchOS 26 does bring a lot of new features and updates to it.
For starters, we are seeing the new Apple Liquid Glass look be put onto the Apple Watch. The Liquid Glass look is coming to the iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV this fall when the newest versions of iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and tvOS are released fully to the public.
A new app coming to the Apple Watch is an Apple Intelligence-based app called “Workout Buddy.” The app brings a user’s workout information and data during workout sessions.
The app includes pep talks and this is how Apple describes how the app speaks to users:
“Way to get out for your run this Wednesday morning. You’re 18 minutes away from closing your Exercise ring. So far this week, you’ve run 6 miles. You’re going to add to that today…Mile four. You picked up the pace and ran that last one in 8 minutes and 28 seconds.” “Hey, check this out. Your total running distance for the year just crossed the 200-mile mark! That’s a lot of running!”
Apple’s Workout app on the Apple Watch is also getting updates.
It’s getting a new layout and look and four new buttons in the corners of the app. This makes it so users have an easier and more convenient way of navigating and using the app.
Another feature in the app is that it gives users the ability to set up their music from Apple Music and podcasts from the Apple Podcasts app right from said Workout app.
The Smart Stack is getting “stackier” with its efficiency. It is now going to be designed to have more precise prediction algorithms. That is done by “incorporating more contextual data, sensor data, and data from a user’s routine to provide Smart Stack hints, a proactive prompt for actionable suggestions that are immediately useful.”
Live Translation is coming to the Apple Watch too. If a friend or family member writes something in a language a user does not know or understand, texts will automatically be translated into the receiving user’s preferred language. This feature will be exclusively available on the Apple Watch Series 9, Apple Watch Series 10, and Apple Watch Ultra 2, with an Apple Intelligence-supported iPhone.
Other features coming in watchOS 26 are using Apple Cash when another user is being asked to donate or contribute to a gift by a group. Customizable backgrounds that are made on the iPhone will additionally show up on the Apple Watch to make “conversations feel more personal and distinct, and users can respond to polls right on their wrist.”
Notifications can be removed with an easy flick of the wrist. However, once again, that feature is exclusively available to those using an Apple Watch Series 9, Apple Watch Series 10, and Apple Watch Ultra 2.
The Apple Watch is getting the Notes app brought to it so they can put a digital note right from and on their wrist. It can be handy for checklists and need-to-quickly-access notes.
iOS 26 brings Hold Assist and Call Screening to the iPhone. Since it is going to the iPhone, ergo, it is also going to the Apple Watch. This is how Apple describes those features:
“When a user is waiting for a live agent, Hold Assist recognizes once a live agent is available and notifies the user to return to the call. Call Screening helps users manage incoming phone calls from unknown numbers more efficiently by collecting a name and reason for the call before their phone rings, so they can make an informed decision on whether to pick up, decline the call, or ask for more information.”
Apple Watch users that are hard of hearing get Live Listen controls coming to it in watchOS 26. By adding it to the Apple Watch, it will give those users the ability to see in-the-moment Live Captions from what their iPhone hears when their Apple Watch is paired to it.
Apple’s Photos face will shuffle the images on it now based on the Featured content from the Photos app. This makes it so users can see the pictures and images that matter most to them each time they raise their wrist or turn on the display.
The Apple Watch models that are compatible with watchOS 26 are the Apple Watch SE 2, Apple Watch Series 6, Apple Watch Series 7, Apple Watch Series 8, Apple Watch Series 9, Apple Watch Series 10, Apple Watch Ultra, and Apple Watch Ultra 2.
watchOS 26’s public beta will begin next month, along with a full release coming sometime this fall to all compatible Apple Watches.
What are your thoughts on all of the updates and improvements coming to watchOS 26? Comment below or let us know on X at @appleosophy.
