We’re about six months away from unveiling the next version of watchOS. We have not heard any rumors yet, and all these ideas are based solely on suspicions. But at the end of the day, there are many ways that watchOS can improve. From more detailed health data metrics to even more information, Apple has many opportunities to make watchOS more powerful.
The core of this concept is the focus on adding new programs and converting existing components of the system into standalone programs. Perhaps the most important feature of Apple Watch is the extensive range of health sensors. Currently, each core health feature has its own app. But there really is no way to go through previous health data or look at a more comprehensive review.
Health App
Apple really should add the Health app to watchOS in an effort to turn the watch into a more powerful and independent healthcare device. Each existing app to measure different health statistics would still exist, but to view historical health data or all current data in one place, you can use the new Health app.
You can look at highlights that normally only appear on your iPhone, as well as each individual category and health measure. This means that you can view data that you cannot currently see directly on your watch.
Solar + Astronomy Apps
Coincidentally, two of the most beautiful watch faces on Apple Watch are also super powerful. In fact, it functions like stand-alone programs. But none is very discoverable. Both of these faces also do not offer much room for complications and are consequently not used very often.
Apple could split it into two new individual apps. The Solar app can provide an easy way to see the location of the sun during the day using the exact same chart design as the Solar Graph watch. With the Astronomy app you can see the current lunar phase, the position of the earth and play around with the orbit of the solar system.
Both of these watch faces will remain, but by adding two new apps with these features, more people can use them more frequently.
Apple offered something called “cans” in the first two versions of watchOS. Originally, it was intended to display quick snippets of important information from third-party programs. But once developers were able to make more powerful native apps and once the watch had a more powerful processor, it was not necessary. Apple has decided to replace it with a single Control Center cover. They left the quick conspicuous information to complications and programs in your dock.
The small widget size class of iOS 14 is a perfect candidate for the Apple Watch. Apple should consolidate the Control Center into a single, non-scrolling page and add horizontal scrolling between different widgets. The user interface has a striking resemblance to cans, but these widgets will be much more powerful and reload much faster.
Apple may even make it possible to simply transfer your existing iOS 14 widgets to the Watch without a standalone app. The data can be synced from the internet or your iPhone. It may help to get more third-party software on the watch, with the interest in developing full Apple Watch applications.
Fun new faces
Apple TV + has really blown up over the past year and some of its characters have become particularly beloved. A new incentive to sign up for the service could be a new “TV +” face that brings characters from your favorite shows to life on your watch. Snoopy can swing your watch, Ted Lasso can make you smile, characters from Central Park can sing, the possibilities are endless. It can also display quotes and affirmations of these characters through a personal complication.
I would fully expect a Ted Lasso watch to be a big hit among Apple fans. And coupled with his optimistic quotes, it could be a great new watch.
Battery App
One of the best widgets in iOS 14 is the batteries widget. It beautifully displays the current battery level on your paired devices. While it’s good on the iPhone, it can be even more useful to have on Apple Watch.
To make it even more powerful, you can turn things like low power mode on remotely. This is simply a great way to keep track of your connected devices. On top of that, the more powerful battery widget of iOS 14 can be added to the new control center.
Step App
With a world that is increasingly in quarantine, it is important that we spend time exploring the outdoors and getting some fresh air. With the new hiking program you can learn more about the routes and places you visit, find guides for new places and keep your location up to date while hiking.
There are many other ways Apple can turn on the watchOS with this year’s release. But they seem to be focusing on very specific smaller chassis features with every major version lately. What do you think of these ideas? What ideas do you have for watchOS 8? Let us know in the comments below!
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