After the “California Streaming” event where Apple announced the new Apple Watch Series 7, the company is now seeding the Release Candidate version of watchOS 8 to all developers. Here’s everything new with the upcoming Apple Watch operating system.
Today’s build is 19R346. Public beta testers will have to wait a bit longer until they can test the RC version. watchOS 8 beta test program started on June 30 with beta 2.
The company is also seeding iOS 15 RC, tvOS 15 RC, HomePod 15 RC as well to all developers. Recently, the company also release macOS Monterey beta 6.
With watchOS 8 beta 5, Apple introduced a new Weather icon, which is also available in today’s beta.
With watchOS 8 beta 2, Apple brought the new ‘Portraits’ Watch Face, which is one of the many features available in the upcoming Apple Watch operating system. With beta 3, on the other hand, Apple only fixed bugs and provided a better experience overall.
watchOS 8 includes, for example, new built-in applications that take advantage of the always-on display used on the Apple Watch Series 5 and Apple Watch Series 6. There is also a new way for developers to tap into the always-on display.
With watchOS 8 coming this fall, here’s what else is new in this version:
- There’s a new version of the Breathe app, now called Mindfulness;
- Respiratory rate is now measured during sleep tracking;
- Photos app overhauled with featured highlights and memories;
- Photos can now be shared from the watch with Messages and Mail on watchOS 8;
- Scribble now lets you include emoji in handwritten messages;
- App shelf in iMessage includes image search and quick access to photos;
- Find My now includes items (including AirTags);
- Weather includes next hour precipitation;
- Apple Watch can do multiple timers for the first time;
- Tips is now available on the Apple Watch;
- Music can be shared from Apple Watch over Messages.
About a month ago, Apple released watchOS 7.6.1 to all users with ‘important security updates’ for Apple Watch.
You can find our full roundup on the upcoming Apple Watch operating system here.
Did you find anything new in this beta? Let us know in the comments below or on Twitter, @9to5Mac.
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