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Apple announces watchOS 4 Apple Watch update

Apple has announced watchOS 4 for Apple Watch at WWDC 2017. First up is a new Siri-based watch face… Details below.

The new Siri watch face is a dynamic, intelligent option that changes what information is presented based on what’s on your calendar and in other apps. There’s also a new kaleidoscope watch face. There are also new character watch faces joining Mickey and Minnie: Toy Story characters.

Apple Watch is also gaining new monthly challenges in the Activity app with new, personalized monthly challenges and new flair on achievements. The Workout app gains an updated user interface as well with improvements to swimming workouts.

High intensity interval training is a new workout added, and new workouts can be added during a current workout with a new plus button added in ongoing workouts for multiple workouts in a single session.

Apple Watch will also work with NFC-enabled gym equipment for sharing stats from the Apple Watch and gym equipment to share heart rate, incline, and more specs. Apple Watch-enabled gym equipment will start rolling out this fall.

watchOS 4 also includes a new Music app meant to improve the AirPods experience. Multiple playlists can now be synced including Apple Music-recommended playlists. Music also has a new look.

The Dock on watchOS 4 gains a new look with a vertically scrolling interface. watchOS 4 can also automatically start when workouts are started, and music playback controls are integrated with the Workout app.

Control Center gains a new flashlight function using the display which also works during outdoor, night workouts as a safety feature. watchOS 4 also includes new Bluetooth-pairing features with smart devices including glucose monitors and smart tennis rackets.

A developer preview of watchOS 4 will be available for all Apple Watches starting today and all customers later this fall.

watchOS 4 Brings More Intelligence & Fitness Features to Apple Watch
Siri Watch Face, Smart Activity Coaching & New Music Experience Coming This Fall
June 05, 2017 03:09 PM Eastern Daylight Time
SAN JOSE, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Apple® today previewed watchOS® 4, featuring a proactive Siri® watch face that displays the information users need most throughout the day, personalized Activity coaching and an entirely new music experience. The update features an enhanced Workout app and introduces GymKit, a groundbreaking technology platform that will offer customers connected workouts with cardio equipment.

“Apple Watch is the ultimate device for a healthy life and is now more intelligent than ever with watchOS 4,” said Jeff Williams, Apple’s chief operating officer. “We’ve created a truly individualized experience with the smartest Activity and Workout apps, the Siri watch face that shows you the information you need when you need it and we’re seamlessly bringing users their favorite music right on the wrist.”

Intelligence

Siri intelligence extends further into Apple Watch® with the new Siri watch face. With each raise of the wrist, the information on the display dynamically updates based on the time of day, daily routines and pertinent data from apps such as Activity, Alarms, Breathe, Calendar, Maps, Reminders and Wallet, as well as headlines from the new Apple News™ app for Apple Watch.

With watchOS 4, the Activity app delivers intelligent coaching and tailored encouragement to help close Activity Rings more often and achieve longer success streaks. Every morning, users will receive a personalized notification if they’re close to earning an Achievement, or suggest what they can do to match yesterday’s activity levels. If needed, toward the end of the day, they’ll be told exactly how long they should walk to close their Activity Rings before the day is over. Users will also receive unique Monthly Challenges designed just for them.

Listening to music is more personal than ever with a redesigned Music app that automatically syncs your New Music Mix, Favorites Mix and most listened to music. With even more songs on the wrist, the effortless combination of Apple Watch paired with AirPods™ makes listening to music ideal for workouts or on the go.

Fitness

The updated Workout app now includes auto-sets for pool swim workouts and new motion and heart rate algorithms for High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) workouts. With watchOS 4, customers doing back-to-back workouts or training for a triathlon can combine multiple workouts to capture overall calorie and time measurements.

With GymKit, customers using their favorite cardio equipment will soon be able to pair their Apple Watch directly to treadmills, ellipticals, indoor bikes or stair steppers from global manufacturers such as Life Fitness and Technogym with a simple tap. In an industry first, data not previously communicated between smartwatch and fitness machine will sync seamlessly — including calories, distance, speed, floors climbed, incline and pace — resulting in the most accurate measurements possible with less device management.

Watch Faces & Bands

In addition to the Siri watch face, new Toy Story watch faces bring to life favorite Pixar characters including Woody, Jessie and Buzz Lightyear, while the Kaleidoscope watch face turns static images into mesmerizing patterns. New complications include Now Playing and Apple News.

Today, Apple also introduced new summer band colors, giving customers more options than ever to express their personal style. This season’s offering includes vibrant Sports Bands, a bright yellow Classic Buckle and Nike Sport Band options that color-match with the Nike Air VaporMax Flyknit Day to Night Collection. As a celebration of diversity and inclusion, Apple is also offering a Pride Edition Woven Nylon in rainbow stripe.

Person to Person Payments with Apple Pay

With watchOS 4, Apple Watch users can make and receive person to person payments quickly, easily and securely with friends and family with Apple Pay®, within Messages or using Siri. When users get paid, they receive the money in their new Apple Pay Cash™ account and can use it instantly to send to someone, make purchases using Apple Pay in stores and apps, or transfer it to their bank account.

Pricing & Availability

watchOS 4 will be available this fall as a free update to Apple Watch paired with iPhone® 5s and later on iOS 11. WatchKit® for watchOS 4 is available immediately for iOS Developer Program members at developer.apple.com. For more information, visit apple.com/watchos-preview. Features are subject to change. Some features may not be available in all regions. My Favorites Mix and My New Music Mix require an Apple Music® subscription. Person to person payments and Apple Pay Cash will be available in the US on iPhone SE, iPhone 6 and later, iPad Pro®, iPad® 5th generation, iPad Air® 2, iPad mini™ 3 and later and Apple Watch.

• Apple Watch is available in two different case sizes, 38mm and 42mm. Apple Watch Series 1 is available in gold, rose gold, silver or space gray aluminum cases paired with a Sport Band and starts at just $269 (US); Apple Watch Series 2 is available in gold, rose gold, silver or space gray aluminum, or silver or space black stainless steel cases paired with a wide variety of bands starting at $369 (US); and the ceramic Apple Watch Edition starts at $1,249 (US) from Apple.com, Apple Stores and select Apple Authorized Resellers and carriers. For local availability, visit locate.apple.com. Apple Watch Nike+ starts at $369 (US).

• New Apple Watch Sport and Classic Buckle bands are available today on Apple.com and will be available later this week at Apple Stores, select Apple Authorized Resellers and carriers in the US and over 35 countries and regions including Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Russia, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UAE and the UK. The Sport Band is $49 (US) and the Classic Buckle is $149 (US).

• The new Pride Edition Woven Nylon band is available today on Apple.com and will be available later this week at Apple Stores in the US and over 35 countries and regions including Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UAE and the UK. The Woven Nylon bands are $49 (US).

• New colors of the Nike Sport Band are available today on Apple.com, Nike.com and at select Nike retail stores, and will be available later this week at Apple Stores, select Apple Authorized Resellers and select speciality stores and department stores in the US and over 35 countries and regions including Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Russia, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UAE and the UK. The Nike Sport Band is $49 (US).

• Customers who buy Apple Watch from Apple will be offered free Personal Setup, in-store or online,* to help set up and personalize their new Apple Watch with calendars, notifications, apps and more.

• Anyone who wants to learn the basics or go further with their new Apple Watch can sign up for free sessions at apple.com/today.

* In most countries.

Apple revolutionized personal technology with the introduction of the Macintosh in 1984. Today, Apple leads the world in innovation with iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch and Apple TV. Apple’s four software platforms — iOS, macOS, watchOS and tvOS — provide seamless experiences across all Apple devices and empower people with breakthrough services including the App Store, Apple Music, Apple Pay and iCloud. Apple’s more than 100,000 employees are dedicated to making the best products on earth, and to leaving the world better than we found it.

NOTE TO EDITORS: For additional information visit Apple Newsroom (www.apple.com/newsroom), or call Apple’s Media Helpline at (408) 974-2042.

© 2017 Apple Inc. All rights reserved. Apple, the Apple logo, watchOS, Siri, Apple Watch, Apple News, AirPods, Apple Pay, Apple Pay Cash, iPhone, WatchKit, Apple Music, iPad Pro, iPad, iPad Air, iPad mini and Apple Store are trademarks of Apple. Other company and product names may be trademarks of their respective owners.

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Avatar for Zac Hall Zac Hall

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

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