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Apple releases first Apple Watch update with Watch OS 1.0.1, adding new Emoji & languages, app improvements, more

Apple has released the first software update for Apple Watch today with the release of Watch OS 1.0.1. The update is available through the Apple Watch app on iPhone.

The update measures in at 51.6 MB and includes “performance improvements and bug fixes” as Apple notes. In addition to adding support for the 300+ new Emoji characters added in iOS 8.3 and OS X 10.10.3,  Apple lists these as improvements areas:

  • Siri
  • Measuring stand activity
  • Calculating calories for indoor cycling and rowing workouts
  • Distance and pace during outdoor walk and run workouts
  • Accessibility
  • Third party apps

Apple has also added language support Brazilian Portuguese, Danish, Dutch, Swedish, Russian, Thai, and Turkish.

Updating Apple Watch software requires at least 50% battery on the device and connecting it to the power supply while being in range of the connected iPhone. For a detailed tutorial on this process, check out our guide here.

9to5Mac reported exclusively yesterday that Apple was readying its first significant software update for the Apple Watch following our review and hands-on video.

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Comments

  1. Lets see how many Apple Watch owners need to to go the Apple Store today after this update, i’ve already seen someone on Twitter says their Watch is stuck at a “!” screen… Hopefully i’m not one of them!

    • anachronismuk - 9 years ago

      Well. I would upgrade – if my watch ordered minutes after launch had arrived. This will likely be yet another excuse for apple to delay sending it no doubt.

      • peteostro - 9 years ago

        Remember there’s a silver lining to most things. Maybe when you get your watch the bugs will be all fixed….

    • Rui Nelson Carneiro - 9 years ago

      Well, Mr., I upgraded successfully, hope you are happy with it.

  2. joh05gra - 9 years ago

    As a swede I’m really glad to see support for the Swedish language, maybe we’re next in line for the Watch.

  3. Rio (@Crzy_rio) - 9 years ago

    Looking at the Apple Watch App, makes me want and expect it at WWDC: Dark Mode for the iPhone :)

    • Settings -> Accessibility -> Invert Colors = job done.

      • rogifan - 9 years ago

        Um, no that’s not the same as dark mode.

      • Andrew Messenger - 9 years ago

        yeah. not the same thing at all.

    • Greg Kaplan (@kaplag) - 9 years ago

      That would make a lot of sense if they release an iPhone with a OLED screen later in September.

      • o0smoothies0o - 9 years ago

        It would have made a lot of sense when they released iOS 7. Dark mode is necessary, it would be so much nicer to view the screen in low light. Here’s all you need to do to know why dark mode is needed: at night, in the dark, or in a dimly lit room, open iTunes, and tap the music tab, then tap the movies or tv shows tabs. It’s so much better it’s insane. There should be a light/dark toggle in control center, and it should happen in iOS 9, as its needed immediately! OLED is not necessary.

      • Isiah Johnson - 9 years ago

        o0smoothies0o, OLED would be beneficial for Dark mode. Since black has no light on OLED, it would save battery power. Battery life is kinda more important than an iOS feature.

  4. GadgetBen - 9 years ago

    Does it make a massive difference to third party apps and siri? Just downloading now, says its only 50MB so can’t see that it’s adding much

  5. Haven (@havenyoung) - 9 years ago

    “Updating Apple Watch software requires at least 50% battery on the device and connecting it to the power supply while being in range of the connected iPhone.”
    Have to wait all day to install it when I got home. :/

    • Matthew Judy - 9 years ago

      “Why are you buying two extra chargers for a watch you don’t even have yet,” they asked me, laughing. They are not laughing now.

      • kpom1 - 9 years ago

        I bought the 1m charger for travel. Too bad Apple doesn’t make an adapter for a Lightning cable.

  6. abramstamper - 9 years ago

    I cannot get it to update. In the watch app on the iPhone, it hangs saying ” Checking for Update…”. I suspect it’s an issue with my iPhone running iOS 8.4; though I have no basis for that conclusion. I guess it just isn’t meant for me today.

    • Falco Menz (@Raddilein) - 9 years ago

      My iPhone is running 8.4 and i installed the Watch OS 1.0.1 successfully.

      • abramstamper - 9 years ago

        Enterprise network issues then maybe? I just read it has to have a valid WiFi connection; not just bluetooth. There’s no output on the watch to see if it’s actually connected to the phone via WiFi or Bluetooth. I’m confident that mine is only connected via Bluetooth right now. I’m guessing the iPhone cannot establish a WiFi network connection (probably with Bonjour?) to the watch.

      • abramstamper - 9 years ago

        I disabled bluetooth on my iPhone and sure enough, the watch shows that it’s disconnected. Though I received an iMessage to my Watch and iPhone while Bluetooth was disabled on my iPhone. If it doesn’t work when I get home, I’d put my chips on it being an Apple bug with the WiFi connection (which has been noted by many in forms for connection to Apps over WiFi). Though if it does, it’s defiantly enterprise networking to blame.

    • Jon Luc (@JLuc1989) - 9 years ago

      I’m having the same issue.

    • Mala Mutt - 9 years ago

      Had the same issue. Restarted both phone and watch and it worked.

    • abramstamper - 9 years ago

      Restarting both got it to work. Thanks! Originally I only restarted my iPhone and force quit the Apple Watch App a few times. The Watch must have been having issues.

  7. Ryan Rotellini - 9 years ago

    Does this fix the bug that lets you reset the watch without a pass code/password?

    • Matthew Judy - 9 years ago

      That, in and of itself, is not a bug. You *should* be able to reset the watch in that way. It’s possible to reset an iPhone without unlocking it as well.

      What’s missing is the feature where, even if it has been reset, it still requires authentication to be used. This is a current feature of the iPhone and iPad, and it needs to find its way to the watch.

  8. jrox16 - 9 years ago

    Ah yes… Apple loving it’s customers. Most people are still waiting for their Watches to be delivered even, and they’ve already put out an update to improve some performance issues. I love it. 1.0.2 probably in another month or two. This is one of the big reasons I stay loyal to Apple. I can wait for 3rd party Watch faces.

  9. 1.0.1 doesn’t show up for me, says I’m up to date on 1.0 ( I am running 8.4 beta 2)

    Am now just restarting the watch and phone to see if the update appears…..

  10. Nagui Anis - 9 years ago

    1st observation after upgrade to 1.01, the activate display on wrist raise is much more sensitive now,

  11. The calendar app had a small change. Now the day view does not give you a list of all your events but instead a daily view, much like the iPhone and Mac.

  12. I’m good, 101 installed on my appleWatch 42mm.

    Not really seen too much difference as yet but I’ve not really played with it.

    I would agree Nagui the sensitivity has somewhat improved.

    Will see how it fairs in the spin room tonight opposed to the last 5 days worth of spin/RPM classes. Also this weekends’ bike ride.

  13. staywhatyouare2 - 9 years ago

    First day using the 1.0.1. Anyone else noticing that the battery life seems to be draining quickly today? I restarted the watch and it doesn’t seem to be helping much.

  14. zencat68 (@zencat68) - 9 years ago

    When are they going to fix the calendar? It is completely stupid that we can’t scroll through months in calendar month view. It’s May 30th and I can’t even see June. WTHeck!

  15. robertst2 - 9 years ago

    As long as you buy your AW in a country where Apple has released the watch, I wouldn’t worry. If, however you have bought it as an import item without Apples blessing, you should worry. And you also probably paid too much for it.

Author

Avatar for Zac Hall Zac Hall

Zac covers Apple news, hosts the 9to5Mac Happy Hour podcast, and created SpaceExplored.com.