watchOS 3

Apple issues fifth betas of tvOS 10 and watchOS 3

Cody Lee ∙ August 9, 2016

Following iOS 10 and macOS Sierra releases, Apple on Tuesday issued beta 5 of both tvOS 10 and watchOS 3. Registered developers with updated profiles can install the over-the-air updates via the Watch app in iOS 10, or the Update mechanism in tvOS 10.

The updates come just a week after Apple sent out fourth betas to developers, suggesting we are now in the finishing touches stage ahead of their expected fall releases. Both tvOS 10 and watchOS 3 have been in beta since they were introduced in June.

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Apple seeds fourth beta of iOS 10, watchOS 3, tvOS 10 and macOS Sierra to developers

Christian Zibreg ∙ August 1, 2016

Two weeks following the release of the third beta of iOS 10, watchOS 3, tvOS 10 and macOS Sierra, Apple on Monday issued iOS 10 beta 4, macOS Sierra beta 4, watchOS 3 beta 4 and tvOS 10 beta 4 to members of the Apple Developer Program. The public beta of iOS 10 and macOS Sierra matching the latest developer-only releases should be released tomorrow to public beta testers enrolled with the Apple Beta Software Program.

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Video walkthrough: everything fixed in watchOS 3 beta 3

Christian Zibreg ∙ July 21, 2016

Our iOS 10 Preview series detailed more than two dozen new features and refinements spotted in iOS 10 beta 3, which was seeded to Apple's registered developers yesterday. Today, we take a closer look at a dozen or so fixes that were added in the third beta of watchOS 3 (build number “14S5290d”), resolving various issues with Apple Watch features that developers reported in prior betas. No new features have been found in watchOS 3 beta 3 yet.

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Apple seeds beta 3 of watchOS 3 to developers

Cody Lee ∙ July 18, 2016

Alongside several other software releases, Apple on Monday issued beta 3 of watchOS 3 for the Apple Watch. Registered developers can download and install the over-the-air update via the Watch app in iOS 10.

Today's beta 3 has build number “14S5290d” and comes nearly two weeks after beta 2 was released, and about a month after the original beta landed. Introduced at WWDC, watchOS 3 brings about a number of new features and improvements.

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Video walkthrough: Emergency SOS, Activity Sharing & more in watchOS 3 beta 2

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated April 25, 2023
A woman checking the Activity app on her Apple Watch while working out

A second beta of watchOS 3 released last week alongside iOS 10 beta 2, macOS Sierra beta 2 and tvOS 10 beta 2. Having posted our video walkthroughs and detailed overviews of what's new in iOS 10 beta 2 and macOS Sierra beta 2, my colleague Andrew and I now get to take a closer look at everything new in watchOS 3 beta 2.

watchOS 3 beta 2 is not as feature-packed a release as the second beta of iOS 10, but still includes some major new features not found in prior betas, like Auto Unlock, Emergency SOS and Activity Sharing. We also detail a few smaller, useful enhancements in the stock Activity and Workout apps and some related new options added to the companion Watch app on the iPhone.

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Apple seeds watchOS 3 beta 2 to registered developers

Christian Zibreg ∙ July 5, 2016
A woman checking the Activity app on her Apple Watch while working out

In addition to the new iOS 10, tvOS 10 and macOS Sierra betas, Apple on Tuesday also pushed a second beta of watchOS 3 (build number “14S5278d”) for the Apple Watch to members of the Apple Developer Program. An over-the-air update is available via the companion Watch app on a paired iPhone running an iOS 10 beta.

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watchOS 3 preview: new watch faces on your wrist & Face Gallery on iPhone

Christian Zibreg ∙ June 29, 2016

After telling you about the improved performance and more intuitive navigation in the Apple Watch software, our watchOS 3 Preview series continues with an overview of three new watch faces that have been added to watchOS 3 and a brand new Face Gallery feature found in the companion Watch app on iOS 10.

watchOS 3 also lets you launch more apps from faces like Workout, Music and Messages.

And as a cherry on top, you can now use complications on faces that previously didn't support them, like Photo, Motion and Timelapse.

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Wallpapers inspired by the watchOS 3 Breathe app

Jim Gresham ∙ Updated April 30, 2018

Since WWDC 2016, we created a series of wallpapers featuring the iOS 10 and macOS wallpapers. Also, wallpapers inspired by other features of the new operating systems posted across the last couple weeks. Today will be another set in the same series.

A new feature of watch OS 3 is the Breathe app. The idea is another step in the increased health functionality of Apple's latest offering. According to Apple's keynote, breathing deeply several times per day provides decreased stress levels. An interactive watch app, along with a guiding lotus-like image encourages deep breathing at intervals throughout the day. Check out these wallpapers inspired by the new app for iPhone, iPad, and desktop. 

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watchOS 3 will go live for everyone this fall

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated June 3, 2017

Apple has taken the wraps off watchOS 3 this morning during the keynote presentation at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium in San Francisco. With features designed to advance the experience for Apple Watch owners, watchOS 3 will release this fall, Apple confirmed today. The major new version of the Apple Watch operating system will be released at no charge as an over-the-air update.

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