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Apple Watch

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Apple Watch is Apple's wearable is designed to help you stay active, motivated, and connected. It runs watchOS, and it comes in 40mm and 44mm size options.

How to see all Apple Watch apps

History

The original Apple Watch (later called Series 0) was released on April 24, 2015, after years of rumors. While there was a lot of initial hype around it, the third-party watchOS apps were slow to launch due to API limitations. Native apps were available in watchOS 2. The original watch came in 38mm and 42mm sizes.

The Series 2 Watch was released on September 16th, 2016 along with a Series 1 Watch. The Series 2 included the S2 chip, built-in GPS, and water-proof construction. The Series 1 included the S2, but lacked GPS and waterproofing.

The Series 3 Watch was released on September 22, 2017, and it included an LTE option and the S3 chip. The Series 4 Watch was released on September 21, 2018. New hardware included the S4 Chip, Electrical heart sensor w/ ECG app, and larger display (40mm and 44mm sizes).

Apple Watch Series 5 was announced during Apple’s fall event on September 10, 2019. Customers were able to purchase the device later that day, and it was released on September 20. The headline feature for this model was the wearable’s always-on display. The new display always shows the time and complications and is also the first from the company to include a built-in compass.

Apple launched international emergency services to every cellular model. Series 5 also brought back ceramic white, and new natural brush and space black titanium models.

Apple Watch Series 6 was unveiled on September 15, 2020 at the “Time Flies” event alongside the more affordable SE and new iPad Air. New features of the Series 6 include blood oxygen monitoring, new watch colors, faster S6 chip, new watch faces, and more.

Apple Watch features

Apple Watch is designed to help you stay active, motivated, and connected. The newest versions are Series 6 and SE while Apple still sells Series 3 as the most affordable option.

Features include:

  • Heart rate monitoring (all models)
    • Including high, low, and irregular heart rate notifications
  • ECG readings (Series 4 and later)
  • Blood oxygen monitoring (Series 6)
  • Workout tracking, Activity Rings, competitions, and awards
  • Works with Apple Fitness+
  • Sleep tracking (with watchOS 7)
  • GPS and GPS + Cellular models
  • Always-on display (Series 5 & 6)
  • Water-resistant to 50 meters
  • Emergency SOS and fall detection
  • Phone calls and Messages
  • Music, Podcasts, and more
  • Third-party apps available through App Store built into watchOS

watchOS

watchOS is the dedicated software that runs on Apple Watch. The current version is watchOS 7 that was released in fall 2020 and is compatible with Series 3 and later.

watchOS 7 brought new features like native sleep tracking, Family Setup, watch face sharing, new workout tracking types, cycling directions in maps, and automatic handwashing reminders.

Apple Fitness+ support and new cardio fitness notifications came with watchOS 7.2 And watchOS 7.4 is coming with the exciting new Apple Watch unlock for iPhone feature.

Current Apple Watch lineup

For all the latest deals on Apple Watch, bands, and accessories, check out 9to5Toys.com.

Subscribe to 9to5Mac Watch Time to get a bi-weekly discussion around Apple Watch and the future of the product.

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When will Apple Intelligence arrive on Apple TV and Apple Watch?

Apple Intelligence

Google recently announced that it’s bringing the Gemini AI assistant to Google TV. At the same time, our sister site 9to5Google found evidence of Gemini coming soon to Wear OS – Google’s operating system for smartwatches. On the Apple side, devices like Apple TV and Apple Watch don’t have Apple Intelligence support, and some people are starting to wonder when that will change.

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Nomad launches limited edition glow in the Dark Icy Blue Sport Band

Nomad is back at it again, bringing the glow to your wrist with their new limited edition Glow in the Dark Icy Blue Sport Band. This fresh twist on their best-selling Glow 2.0 delivers a clean, pale blue-white look during the day and a bold, striking glow by night. Whether you’re out for a night jog or just want to stand out in a crowd, this band brings both style and functionality to your Apple Watch.

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This $160 cellular smartwatch with a camera aims to be an Apple Watch for kids

This $160 cellular smartwatch with a camera aims to be an Apple Watch for kids | Pinwheel Watch

While some parents treat their kids to an Apple Watch, the Pinwheel Watch aims to offer an interesting alternative. The $160 cellular smartwatch combines strong parental controls with a kid-friendly AI chatbot.

Unlike the real thing, the Pinwheel includes a camera, with the company promising that video calling will be coming later this year …

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How to charge your new Apple Watch as fast as possible

fast charge Apple Watch

Did you just wrap a new Apple Watch this holiday season? One of the more useful changes to recent Apple Watch models is support for fast charging. This allows you to quickly top off your Apple Watch battery at much faster speeds than before. Plus, with the latest Apple Watch Series 10, charging is even faster than before.

There are a few things to remember, and you don’t get everything you need in the box…

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Apple Watch just gained a helpful new feature for inspiring you to stay active

Apple Watch recently learned a new trick for customers who need to take a rest day, week, or month without breaking an Activity streak. watchOS 11 and iOS 18 let users temporarily pause Activity rings, checking off a highly requested customer feature. Additionally, today’s watchOS 11.2 and iOS 18.2 release includes a new collection of rewards to help you stay motivated to workout and stay active throughout your day.

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Apple health VP talks Apple health innovations and smart ring rumors in new interview

Apple fans and tech enthusiasts are in for a treat as longtime YouTuber and Apple reviewer Nikias Molina sits down with Sumbul Desai, Apple’s Vice President of Health, for an exclusive interview. The conversation offers a fascinating look at Apple’s approach to health technology and how it’s making an impact on users’ everyday lives.

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Apple’s advocacy for regular standing backed by new study

Apple's advocacy for regular standing backed by new study | Sit-stand desk shown

Apple has been one of the most vocal supporters of the benefits of regularly standing up during the working day.

The company encourages standing once an hour via Apple Watch alerts, and it also made sit-stand desks a standard fitment in its Apple Park campus. CEO Tim Cook even cited the “sitting is the new cancer” phrase which has proven so controversial …

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