Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 Gaining New 'Double Tap' Gesture Control Feature - MacRumors
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Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 Gaining New 'Double Tap' Gesture Control Feature

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Following the announcement of the Apple Watch Series 9, Apple today detailed a new feature coming to the smartwatch next month. Called "Double Tap," the new gesture feature lets you control the Series 9 by tapping your thumb and index finger together twice.

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Users will be able to answer calls, stop alarms, open Smart Stack, play and pause Music, and more by using Double Tap. Apple said the new feature should make it easier to navigate the Apple Watch when you're one-handed, like walking your dog or holding a cup of coffee.

Double Tap will also be available on the new Apple Watch Ultra 2. The feature will be available in a software update next month for the Series 9 and Ultra 2.

Related Roundups: Apple Watch 11, Apple Watch Ultra 3
Tag: September 2023 Apple Event
Buyer's Guide: Apple Watch (Don't Buy), Apple Watch Ultra (Neutral)
Related Forum: Apple Watch

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Top Rated Comments

S
Stephen13
38 months ago
The finger tap thing isn't new. Perhaps the trigger of some specific functions are new, but in the current WatchOS you can use Assistive Touch to customize many different gestures using a finger tap(s) or even a fist clench.
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
JPack Avatar
JPack
38 months ago
It almost seemed like Apple was about to make an entire event out of this one feature. 😄
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ApplesAreSweet&Sour Avatar
ApplesAreSweet&Sour
38 months ago
This "new" feature has been available since watchOS 8.3. Apple even did a video on it themselves, explaining what it does and how to set it up.

So Apple will be removing gesture controls for Series 8 and older if you upgrade to watchOS 10?


Attachment Image
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
vertsix Avatar
vertsix
38 months ago
Don't be fooled - this is already on your watch under Accessibility.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
A
Antes
38 months ago
The thing is most apple watches can already do this as an accessibility feature. It was almost comical this got such a long segment in the keynote.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Johnny907 Avatar
Johnny907
38 months ago
It didn't gain Jack. This has been available under Accessibility since WatchOS 8.
Accessibility -> Assistive Touch -> Hand Gestures and then scroll down to Customize Gestures. Set Double Pinch to Tap and you can do everything shown in that promo right now. Or you can really get fancy and customize all the options like clenching your fist to go forward and back in menus.
I've been using these settings to control my watch during workouts for a couple years now, which is evidently how long it took Apple to figure out it had a useful feature it should promote, especially if it helps them sell a yawn of a new product that 100% isn't required to use it.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
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