watchOS

Activation Lock coming to Apple Watch this fall with watchOS 2 software update

Christian Zibreg ∙ June 8, 2015

Activation Lock, Apple's theft-deterrent feature available on iPhone, iPod touch and iPad devices running iOS 7 or later, will be available on the Apple Watch this fall, courtesy of the free watchOS 2 software update announced earlier this morning during the Worldwide Developers Conference keynote talk.

It was previously discovered that the Apple Watch lacks this necessary security feature to dissuade thieves due to the limitations in its software and its dependency on iPhone for network connectivity.

Here are some of the most exciting new features in watchOS 2

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated June 12, 2018

watchOS 2 brings a ton of new features to the Apple Watch, including a new bedside alarm clock feature, multiple screens for friends, the ability to add new friends directly from the Friends interface, video playback, speaker output, replying directly from email, and so much more.

watchOS 2 beta available to developers today, public launch this fall

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 18, 2018

Apple just got done offering up a preview of the next major version of watchOS, and it has a ton of new features. Native third-party apps, support for third-party complications, new Watch Face customization options, HomeKit support and audio playback support, to name a few.

Saying that this is a major improvement over current Apple Watch software would be an understatement. So the question on everyone's mind now is: when is it going to be available? Apple says that a beta will be available to developers today, and it'll be released to the public this fall.

We are really looking forward to checking out watchOS 2.

watchOS 2 adds support for third-party complications

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 18, 2018

Now that it's done talking about OS X El Capitan and iOS 9, Apple has moved on to watchOS. In previewing the Apple Watch's first major software update, the company has announced several new features including support for third party complications.

Apple says watchOS 2 brings new faces with custom Complications

Christian Zibreg ∙ June 8, 2015

Framed as a “giant moment” that feels like “opening the App Store” back in 2008, Apple CEO Tim Cook today at Worldwide Developers Conference in San Francisco said that apps for the Apple Watch, which launched just six weeks ago, will soon run natively on the device through the newly announced watchOS 2.

The forthcoming Apple Watch operating system update, among other things, also brings out a pair of additional watch faces with custom third-party Complications.

Apple Watch: the inconsistent frequency of heart rate measurements is a feature, not a bug

Sébastien Page ∙ Updated June 14, 2015

Since the release of Watch OS 1.0.1, users have reported that the frequency of heart rate measurements was less consistent than before the update, but in a support document updated today, Apple notes that it is an intended feature, rather than a bug.

Users report less consistent heart rate readings after updating to Watch OS 1.0.1

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated June 14, 2015

In addition to fixing performance issues and a number of problems related to the accuracy of fitness tracking, the first software update for the Apple Watch seem to have introduced an unintended bug.

The affected owners have flocked to Apple Support Communities and MacRumors' forums to report that the device is now capturing their heart rate readings less frequently than before after updating to Watch OS 1.0.1.

Apple says the device's heart rate sensor should capture heart rates every ten minutes throughout the day — even more frequently during workouts — but there are now noticeably larger gaps of time between data, some as long as an hour or more.

10 most wanted Apple Watch jailbreak tweaks

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated June 14, 2015

It officially launched less than a week ago, but many people are already thinking about jailbreaking the Apple Watch. I've seen prominent hackers and developers talk about jailbreaking Apple's new wearable device, and I've heard it mentioned several times on some prominent podcasts.

The question is, why are so many people interested in jailbreaking Apple's new hardware? The answer is mixed, but there are lots of similarities to iPhone OS and the early iPhone hardware. When the iPhone first launched back in 2007, it was severely limited. You couldn't copy and paste, you couldn't have custom wallpaper, there was no App Store, etc. Jailbreaking eventually allowed early users to do all of those things.

Similar to the early iPhone software, Watch OS 1.0 won't allow users to do things like use custom watch faces, or run native apps. Jailbreaking could, in theory, allow for both of these features. But that's not all. Jailbreaking Watch OS opens up a whole new realm of possibilities.

Apple releases Apple Watch OTA firmware

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated June 14, 2015

The very first Apple Watch firmware has been released as an OTA update. The firmware, which Apple is branding Watch OS, is actually a modified version of iOS 8.2, similar to how the Apple TV uses iOS firmware as a base.

The 38mm Apple Watch is ID'd as Watch1,1, and the 42mm version is ID'd as Watch1,2. As noted by developer Steve Troughton-Smith, the firmware is heavily based on iOS 8.2 and features a PowerVR SGX543 driver. As yo may recall the SGX543 was integrated on the A5 SoC's that powered hardware like the iPad 2, and iPhone 4s.

Apple Watch: everything we know so far

Timothy Reavis ∙ Updated June 14, 2015

Speculation has surrounded Apple Watch for years – far back into the technological dark ages when it was referred to as 'iWatch' – but, despite being exceedingly more enlightened at present, we still don't know everything about Apple's long-awaited wearable.

That will change on Monday when Apple's 'Spring Forward' event goes live, at which time more information about Apple Watch is expected to release, including prices and additional features. After the event, those attending will likely be able to go hands-on with an array of fully functioning Apple Watches in the white structure going up beside the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts.

The team at iDownloadBlog will be covering the keynote as it happens, per usual. Until then, however, tech and fashion enthusiasts must occupy themselves with the facts given us by Apple and leaks from other sources. As a result, we've compiled everything we know and think we know about Apple Watch.