watchOS 5, the operating system that runs on the Apple Watch, was introduced last week alongside iOS 12 and macOS Mojave. The update doesn't include design changes or new watch faces, but it does introduce some fun new features that make the Apple Watch more useful than ever, like Walkie-Talkie.
We went hands-on with the new watchOS 5 update in our latest YouTube video to give MacRumors readers an idea of what to expect from the software when it launches this fall.
Walkie-Talkie, the coolest new feature in watchOS 5, will let you use the Apple Watch like, well, a Walkie-Talkie, with opt-in push-to-talk communication. In the first beta of watchOS 5, which is available to developers, the Walkie-Talkie app is unfortunately not functional, listing a "Coming Soon" message when you open it up. We'll have a separate video when it launches, so make sure to stay tuned for that.
There are other great new features in watchOS 5, though, like a new Podcasts app that lets you listen to podcasts right on your wrist without needing to open up your iPhone.
For those of you who like competition, Apple's added a new Workout option that lets you challenge your friends to a 7-day fitness competition to see who can earn the most activity points, which is great for motivation.
Yoga and Hiking, two new Workout types, have been added, while runners will be pleased to see rolling mile pace, custom pace alerts, and cadence for better than ever tracking. Automatic Workout detection means your watch will never fail to start or stop recording your workouts, even if you forgot to manually use the Workout app.
The Siri Watch face now supports sports, maps, heart rate, and third-party apps, so you'll see more useful suggestions, plus notifications are now actionable so you can do more right from your wrist. watchOS 5 also introduces limited support for WebKit, so you can view website menus, see full Mail messages, and click links in the Messages app without needing to pick up your iPhone.
It's worth noting that watchOS 5 is going to be limited to Series 1, Series 2, and Series 3 Apple Watch models. That means that it won't run on the original Apple Watch.
What are you most excited for in watchOS 5? Let us know in the comments and make sure to check out our watchOS 5 roundup for more details on the new operating system.
Top Rated Comments
(View all)Watching these videos makes me nervous. Fiddling with this tiny scree, I can’t see the appeal. Still on the fence if I’ll ever buy one.
Oh, you don't need to spend time looking at the screen really.I like it for taking calls
Finding where I put my iPhone
HeartRate measurement - while I am swimming
Lap counting and stroke count - again for swimming
Following my AAPL stock
Sunrise and Sunset time
Weather.
Ummmm Time :)
Messages.
And unsuspectingly cool was for navigation while driving! If you have CarPlay running with your iPhone on a late model car, your wrist will vibrate when you need to make a turn along with the Siri navigation voice and GPS map on the car screen. VERY cool and nice.
OH - don't forget Apple Pay!
There are probably many more things!
Oh! - it can bluetooth music to my AirPods, and it can even live stream if you have a cellular account hooked up on the Apple Watch - I don't because I am in Canada and it's stupid here.
It's not like I have ever "played a game" on the Apple Watch. Most of the stuff it does is automatic.
The only time I look at the screen might be to look at my latest swim workout data while I am in the Jacuzzi after swimming.
My AW2 is struggling...
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Watching these videos makes me nervous. Fiddling with this tiny scree, I can’t see the appeal. Still on the fence if I’ll ever buy one.
Its an awesome device. Didn't realize how awesome until I bought one!Needs to run iOS and all my apps. Needs a browser. Needs to be an iPhone on my wrist. I had high hopes for my series 3. I was sorely disappointed.
No that is falseI don't wear it any more.
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Edit: also LTE is essentially useless. Almost no developers added standalone capability to their watch apps. Without iPhone nearby it's garbage.
All the main sport apps work fine on LTE and in watchOS5 it will allow for podcasts to be downloaded for LTE.
LTE was never meant to be a full on replacement for your phone. It was designed for general tasks when you head out or go for a run/bike rides etc so no it’s not garbage at all. It works Damn well while getting all your notifications.
Does the ‘2-way’ text appear in mid air whenever you use the walkie-talkie feature?
Although a REAL watch like a Rolex or Patek doesn't do all of the tricks of the Apple Watches, at least they are well protected as the older they get, the more prestige, support and investment quality they become.
Are they going to optimize this for older models like iOS did?
Erm, it’s the first beta.....My AW2 is struggling...