Apple today showed off new features coming to watchOS 5 this fall, including a "walkie talkie" mode, the podcasts app, and quick access to Siri.
Walkie-Talkie will work over cellular and Wi-Fi networks for "watch-to-watch" communication, Apple said at its Worldwide Developers Conference on Monday. When first activated, Walkie-Talkie will suggest friends you can send an invite to connect with. Once the invitation is accepted, you can start chatting.
WatchOS 5 will also be smarter. It will automatically detect when you've started in a workout, and ask you whether to start or stop logging your activity. Not sure how many steps or miles you already ran? Well, watchOS 5 can even estimate how much "retroactive credit" you deserve for any exercise you forgot to log.
Apple Watch owners will also be able to activate the company's voice assistant, Siri, without having to say "Hey Siri." WatchOS 5 will detect that you're trying to activate Siri when you raise your wrist and start listening for your query.
On the exercise front, watchOS 5 introduces two new workout types, Yoga and Hiking. It'll also come with a new "Activity Sharing" feature that will let you compete with other Apple Watch owners on certain exercises. The competitions last for a week, and will log your exercise stats to see who performed the most activities. The winner will receive a virtual medal.
Finally, watchOS 5 is getting Apple's Podcasts app, which will sync podcast listening across iOS devices.
WatchOS 5 will arrive this fall as a free update. Unfortunately, it will not be available on the original Apple Watch, so those with the original smartwatch might want to consider an upgrade.