watchOS 3 Tidbits: Face Gallery, Disable Screenshots, New Stock Apps, and More

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Apple this week previewed watchOS 3, the next major version of its Apple Watch software platform. The first beta has been seeded to registered developers, allowing for early adopters to take a closer look at what's new in the update.

Many tidbits in the new watchOS have already been discovered that were not given much or any stage time during Apple's WWDC 2016 keynote, including improvements to the Apple Watch companion app on iPhone, new first-party apps and watch faces, minor user interface tweaks, and more.

Face Gallery

Apple_Watch_face_gallery_duo
A new Face Gallery section has been added to the companion Watch app on iPhone, allowing users to browse and switch between watch faces, customize the color scheme, and configure complications.

X-Large Watch Face

XL_watch_face
Apple has added a new X-Large watch face with one large complication positioned at the center of the screen.

Screenshots Toggle

Apple_Watch_enable_screenshots
Apple Watch screenshots can now be enabled or disabled using the companion Watch app on iPhone. The toggle switch is in the General menu.

New Modular Complications

Modular_watchOS_3
Apple Watch Now Appears in Find My iPhone

Find_My_iPhone_Apple_Watch
Other Tidbits

• More watch faces support complications
• New stock apps: Breathe, Home, Find My Friends, Reminders, and Heart Rate
• Delete most first-party apps by first deleting the app on iPhone
• Tap on the Mickey/Minnie Mouse watch faces and they will read the time in their voices
• Enable auto pausing of indoor and outdoor runs
• Dismissing a notification now returns you to watch face rather than Notification Center
• The new Activity watch face is available in both analog and digital formats
• Siri has a slightly tweaked user interface
• Activity and Workout apps have been redesigned
• Friends view has been removed in favor of the new Dock feature

Share your own tidbits in our Apple Watch: All The Little Things discussion thread.

watchOS 3 will be available as a free software update for all Apple Watch users this fall.

Related Roundup: Apple Watch Series 6
Buyer's Guide: Apple Watch (Caution)
Related Forum: Apple Watch

Top Rated Comments

Munky Avatar
Munky
67 months ago
These Disney faces are really awful...

Until Apple opens up Face customization and creation to 3rd party devs, my interest in this Apple Watch remains right around zero.

Not holding my breath on this one :)
*WHEW!* I'm glad I finally know. Thank you!
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)
AlphaTeam Avatar
AlphaTeam
67 months ago
Thankfully I won't be getting random screenshot of my watch because I bent my hand the wrong way.
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jacobh101 Avatar
jacobh101
67 months ago
I don't get the fascination with Mickey Mouse?! #smh
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
tgwaste Avatar
tgwaste
67 months ago
So here we are on watchos3 and the watch STILL cant tell you if you left your phone behind. Seriously, is that a complex piece of code? Doesnt seem like it.

Yes, I know there are (unreliable) 3rd party apps.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
NufSaid Avatar
NufSaid
67 months ago
I think that this is now a mature OS.

Looking forward to getting a version 2 watch when it comes out.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
thelink Avatar
thelink
67 months ago
But...but...where Goofy?
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Read All Comments

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