Apple today teased an update to WatchOS that promises a faster experience on Apple Watch, as well as some features that put it more in line with its iOS counterparts.
WatchOS 3 arrives in the fall and boasts app loads times that are seven times faster than watchOS 2, Apple's VP of Technology Kevin Lynch said at today's WWDC in San Francisco. The speed is partially thanks to a new "dock," which can launch built-in and third-party apps instantly. To access it, press the watch's side button.
The dock is inspired more by iTunes Cover Flow than the dock you might be used to in OS X. You can decide which apps you'd like to include. They should "respond instantly," Lynch said, "and the information you look at should be updated before you go look."
Other UI tweaks should make the Apple Watch feel more familiar to iOS users: swipe up from the bottom to view the control center, for example. If you need to reply to a message, meanwhile, but can't dictate a response, a new feature known as Scribble will let you draw letters on the screen of the Apple Watch, which will be translated into text.
In addition to speed, WatchOS 3—like the new Messages feature in iOS 10—is all about customization. Want to switch watch faces? Just swipe. You can also add more "complications" to certain faces, like a weather forecast. Custom responses to messages are now possible thanks to the addition of stickers, handwriting, full-screen effects and invisible ink.
On the fitness front, a new app for Health called Breathe (above) will help you become more zen by guiding you through simple, deep-breathing sessions. If you need a reminder to calm down, set smart notifications. During a session, the watch will provide haptic feedback (vibrations) to help set your breathing rhythm.
For those on the opposite end of the spectrum, Apple demoed activity sharing, which notifies users about their friends' fitness progress. It's integrated with the Messages app, which makes it a snap to let a friend, family member, or personal trainer know you've done more pushups than they have.
Finally, Apple added emergency notifications. Pressing and holding the side button can notify a designated emergency contact. The health information card available in iOS 9 is now also in watchOS 3, and first responders can be summoned via a Wi-Fi call even if your iPhone isn't accessible.
WatchOS is available to developers now and will roll out as a free update to everyone else this fall.