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watchOS

Simple, minimalistic, small: The platform for the best smartwatch on the market

198 'watchOS' stories June 2015 - November 2017
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watchOS only runs on the Apple Watch and launched alongside the product back in 2015. It has seen several major revisions since its launch, such as axing glances, the friends UI, and more.

The original version of the software was very slow and relied on your iPhone for its apps. Everything presumably ran over Bluetooth, and would be unable to open any apps if your connected iPhone was out of range.

Apple quickly moved away from interaction model and pushed native applications as of watchOS 2.0, where the majority of the app’s interface and information were installed on your Apple Watch, instead of your iPhone.

watchOS 3.0 added support for background app refresh, which allowed apps to run in the background, but also enabled complications to be updated without needing to completely launch an app.

With watchOS 4.0, and the Apple Watch Series 3 with LTE, Apple took this interaction model a step further. The company introduced APIs to allow applications to run completely independently of the iPhone. This meant that users were allowed to stream Apple Music, get the latest News, or take a phone call without being in the range of your iPhone. However, an iPhone is still required to setup and manage your Apple Watch.

Learn more about watchOS by reading the articles below:

Feature Request: Restore iPhone music control from Apple Watch with Remote

Avatar for Zac Hall Nov 14 2017 - 12:12 pm PT
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watchOS 4.1 brought iCloud Music Library and Apple Music streaming to Apple Watch, but the redesigned Music app on watchOS 4 killed a feature that it offered since launch. watchOS removed the ability to remotely control music playing on your iPhone from your Apple Watch in favor of focusing solely on music playable from the watch.

While this change makes the Music app much easier to use and understand for most users, removing a useful function from the Apple Watch isn’t progress for everyone. Fortunately, I think the answer to this problem is right in front of us.


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Apple releases third iOS 11.2, watchOS 4.2, tvOS 11.2, and macOS 10.13.2 betas

Avatar for Zac Hall Nov 13 2017 - 10:13 am PT
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Apple has released the third developer beta of iOS 11.2 for iPhone and iPad. The latest version comes one week after the second beta became available for all iPhones and iPads after first coming to iPhone X. Apple has also released the third developer beta versions of watchOS 4.2 for Apple Watch, tvOS 11.2 for Apple TV and Apple TV 4K, and macOS 10.13.2 for Mac.


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Leaked watchOS 4.1 GM release notes suggest no Apple Pay Cash w/ iOS 11.1

Avatar for Chance Miller Oct 25 2017 - 3:14 pm PT
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Apple is currently in the process of beta testing watchOS 4.1, as well iOS 11.1, tvOS 11.1, and macOS 10.13.1. With each release the company provides detailed change logs identifying any bug fixes, feature additions, and known issues. Developer Guilherme Rambo has now gotten his hands on the release notes for the watchOS 4.1 GM release, which will likely come next week…


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Apple releases fourth iOS 11.1 and watchOS 4.1 betas

Avatar for Zac Hall Oct 20 2017 - 10:08 am PT
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Four days after releasing the third beta version, Apple has released the fourth iOS 11.1 beta for iPhone and iPad. iOS 11.1 beta includes the return of 3D Touch gestures for multitasking as well as hundreds of new emoji characters including “Woman with Headscarf, Bearded Person, Breastfeeding, Zombie” and plenty more. Apple has also released the fourth beta version of watchOS 4.1 beta with Apple Music and Radio streaming.


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Apple releases third iOS 11.1, watchOS 4.1, and tvOS 11.1 betas [U]

Avatar for Zac Hall Oct 16 2017 - 10:11 am PT
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Update: Public betas for iOS and tvOS also now available.

Apple has released the third iOS 11.1 beta for iPhone and iPad. iOS 11.1 beta includes the return of 3D Touch gestures for multitasking as well as hundreds of new emoji characters including “Woman with Headscarf, Bearded Person, Breastfeeding, Zombie” and plenty more. Apple has also released the third beta versions of watchOS 4.1 beta with Apple Music and Radio streaming as well as tvOS 11.1 beta.


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watchOS apps continue to disappear as Whole Foods says ‘nighty nighty’ to Apple Watch support

Avatar for Jordan Kahn Jun 19 2017 - 8:49 am PT
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Whole Foods just removed its Apple Watch app from the App Store, making it the latest company to do so after Google, eBay, Amazon and others did the same earlier this year. Speaking of Amazon, the removal of the Whole Foods Watch app follows Amazon’s announcement that it will acquire the grocery store chain for $13.7 billion this week…


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WWDC Wishlist: How Apple Watch could improve with watchOS 4

Avatar for Zac Hall Apr 12 2017 - 10:08 am PT
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WWDC 2017 is just around the corner and we’re eager to see what Apple has planned for watchOS 4 and Apple Watch. While we don’t expect to see an update that addresses every opportunity left for watchOS in one year, there are certainly a lot of areas ripe for improvement considering how new Apple Watch and watchOS are. Read on for our watchOS 4 wish list below and share your own ideas in the comments.


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