The operating system of the Apple Watch since its launch has been evolving little by little. The Cupertino company every year improves the existing and introduces new functions to vitaminize your watch. In this post we are going to tell you about everything new that comes with watchOS 8, both the improvements that the company has introduced in existing functions, and the new functions that users of one of these watches can enjoy from their wrist.
List of watches compatible with watchOS 8
Before starting with the news of watchOS 8 we want to tell you which are the compatible models with this version of the operating system dedicated to Apple Watch. Obviously, as every year, there are a number of devices that are left out of this update, although the firm led by Tim Cook this year has maintained the same list of Apple Watch that were already compatible with watchOS 7. Therefore we find these compatible models:
- Apple Watch Series 3
- Apple Watch Series 4
- Apple Watch Series 5
- Apple Watch SE
- Apple Watch Series 6
It should be noted that in the case of the Apple Watch Series 3, this could be a somewhat controversial version at first. In previous versions it had been dragging continuous performance problems that, at least at the time of publishing this article, seem already solved with the first versions for developers that Apple has released of watchOS 8.
Improvements to what we already had in the Watch
When a new version of an operating system is presented, most users focus on what is new that it brings with respect to the previous version. However, it is common for developers to also focus a good part of their efforts on improving everything that already existed in two different ways. The first one is through the optimization of the operating system itself , making what already worked well, work even better. On the other hand, there are also functional improvements that add options to the existing ones, which is exactly what we are going to talk about now, about the news that Apple has introduced in watchOS 8 on functions that already existed in watchOS 7.
All your keys, in Wallet
Every day there are more users who use their Apple Watch to pay using Apple Pay or who travel with all their tickets in Wallet, well, with watchOS 8 this application is clearly enhanced. From now on, all those users who have a compatible car and Apple Watch will be able to both open and start the car just by wearing the Apple watch . To all this is added the possibility of carrying the digitized driver’s license in a Wallet, to avoid having to carry it in your wallet or pocket.
Of course, these functions seem to be relegated to a series of specific cars that come with this function as standard and with respect to the driving license, it seems that the legislation of each country will have to approve it (in Spain at the moment only the app of the DGT). To this are added new functions that make Wallet have the possibility of accessing different places thanks to the compatibility with some models of locks. In this way you can access your home, a hotel or your own office without having to carry the traditional keys, since these will be on your Apple Watch with which you can open these doors.
New workouts come to Apple Watch
One of the plus points in favor of using the native Apple Watch application to train is the wide variety of workouts it has. Despite this, there are still specific sports that do not have their specific training, therefore, the Cupertino company, version by version, is introducing new modalities. Now with watchOS 8 come two specific and really popular workouts today: Tai Chi and Pilates , two modalities that improve people’s health both physically and mentally.
Both workouts are based on powerful movement and heart rate algorithms that are validated to provide users with the most accurate data possible. In addition, they have also been added to the multiple functions that are included within the Apple Fintess + service, a subscription platform launched at the end of 2020 but which is not currently available outside the United States, so it will not continue to be enjoyed in Spain. official.
Now is the time to control your breathing while you sleep
If the Apple Watch focuses on something, it is on people’s health. On the one hand, it is obviously a device very focused on measuring all kinds of sports activities, in fact, it comes to serve as a motivating element for many people thanks to the “obligation” to close the rings every day. However, perhaps the greatest value that the Apple Watch contributes in terms of health is the ability to measure parameters as important as blood oxygen or heart rate.
There are numerous cases in which the Apple Watch has served to help users detect heart problems, well, now comes a new function to control the sleep of all those who get into bed with the Apple watch on the wrist. From now on the Apple Watch will also be able to measure the respiratory rate while you sleep , for this the accelerometer will be in charge of measuring this information, which you will have available in the iPhone health application.
More spheres with photos in portrait mode as protagonists
The aesthetic section is also essential when talking about a watch, since after all, it is also a fashion element. The Apple Watch has a huge variety of spheres with which the user has the possibility of perfectly adapting the aesthetics of their watch to each moment of the day, choosing both the shape, the color, and the complications. All this is still present in this new version of the operating system, but with interesting improvements.
How could it be otherwise, with watchOS 8 new spheres are introduced that add to the entire catalog that already existed previously. In this case, the photos are the protagonists of this novelty since the Photos sphere will come to life thanks to the interaction that users will be able to make with the digital crown, all through the new Portraits sphere. In this you can configure exactly where to place the information of the time and the degree of transparency of this on the subject that appears as the protagonist in the photograph.
Improvements in timers and Music app
One of the simplest uses but that most Apple Watch users use are timers. Having Siri on your wrist makes this action even easier, however one of the limitations that existed until this version is that you could only have an active timer, that is, there was no possibility of activating timers in parallel. This changes with watchOS 8 since it allows you to set different timers simultaneously , being very useful if, for example, you are cooking and need to have different times for each cooking.
In this version we also find improvements regarding the Music application. Specifically, new functions are added when it comes to sharing songs, albums or playlists . As with the iPhone, these can be shared through different channels such as Messages, Mail or third-party applications that have their own application within the Apple Watch.
New features coming to the Apple watch
Given the novelties in functions that already existed, we have to focus on telling what is really the new thing that this version of the clock system brings. In this watchOS 8 we can find really interesting news like the ones we tell you below.
Take control of your home from the clock
Yes, we already know that the Home application already existed in previous versions. However, the change that this app has undergone is such that we could almost consider it as new, since it is accompanied by new functions. The main reason for the redesign was to be able to offer more comfortable access to accessories and environments that have been previously configured. Even users with a HomeKit-compatible camera will be able to see the image it captures from the application itself.
Another of the new functions is the possibility of using the intercom to send messages throughout the house through the different devices compatible with this function such as the HomePod or the HomePod mini, as well as other personal devices. Until now, the only way to access this function was through Siri, which will continue to offer that possibility, but as an alternative to this new function that a priori seems much more comfortable.
Goodbye to Breathing, hello to Mindfulness
With watchOS 8, the Cupertino company has taken the Breathe application and has changed it for a new application , which obviously brings new functions available to all users. This new app is called Mindfulness, which aims to practice mindfulness more than ever. It is an evolution of the Breathe application , which offers a new session called Reflect . This activity consists of performing a conscious concentration exercise for just one minute, so it can be carried out anytime, anywhere.
With each moment that you dedicate to this Reflect session, you will be giving yourself the possibility of adopting a positive attitude , at least that is the intention that Apple has with this new application. In addition, of course the options that the Breathe application offered up to now are still valid and available. All this accompanied by new animations so that the use of this app is also more attractive.
New tools come to Messages
Apple has made every effort to make the experience of communicating with other people as satisfactory as possible, which is why it has added new tools to the Messages application, so that you can use your Apple Watch more than ever to start conversations with other people. For this, what the Cupertino company has done is to give the possibility of combining the three ways of writing on the Apple Watch , that is, combining dictation, handwriting, and emoji.
Another novelty that Apple has implemented in this regard is the inclusion of GIFs , giving users the ability to enter them directly from the Apple Watch. On the other hand, the Contacts app is also available for the Apple Watch, so you can search, add and edit contacts from your wrist without having to access the iPhone.
Concentrating is now easier
One of the star features of the new operating systems is the Concentration function , which is available for all operating systems and therefore also on all devices that are compatible with these operating systems. Concentration consists of the customization of different modes similar to the “Do not disturb” currently existing, in order to adapt the management of incoming notifications based on the activity you are doing at any time.
Obviously, in a device that has as one of its star functions the management of notifications, the Concentration function takes on a fundamental role and value. Concentration is intended to help users reduce distractions and focus on the task at hand. To do this, the Apple Watch will automatically synchronize with the Concentration settings that have been established on the iPhone to filter, in this way, notifications from people and applications based on what the user is doing.
WatchOS 8 version history
Officially this is a version that has not yet reached the public, since only the first beta has been released for developers, which was published on the same day that the operating system was presented (June 7, 2021). All those who are registered as Apple developers will be able to install this version and do its tests, always taking into account the risks involved at the performance level because it can contain bugs, as well as the impossibility of returning to a stable version later. Apple announced that the public beta would arrive throughout the month of July.
Regarding the launch to the public , the Californian company announced that it would be autumn. Although this season runs from September to December, the truth is that the most expected is that September will be when it will be launched worldwide for all those watches that we mentioned that will be compatible. This is a deduction we make based on what happened in previous years with other versions of watchOS.
