14 DAY TRIAL // Apple used the WWDC event to announce the new watchOS 9 update that will go live for the supported Apple Watch models in the fall of this year.
The new operating system comes with huge updates, starting with new watch faces, heart rate zones, better sleep tracking, and so much more.
Without a doubt, one of the biggest improvements in watchOS concerns the Workout app, which now comes with heart rate zones to make it easier for users to focus on their targets – for instance, users who want to burn fat need to stay in a specific heart rate zone, so with this update, Apple Watch makes it easier to do this.
“The Workout app, one of the most popular apps on Apple Watch, has been updated to provide richer metrics for measuring performance, as well as new training experiences to help users reach fitness goals. The familiar in-session display now uses the Digital Crown to rotate between easy-to-read Workout Views, so users can see important metrics for different training styles,” Apple says.
“Heart Rate Zones, which can be manually created or automatically calculated using personalized Health data, can be used to monitor the intensity of a workout. Interval training is an important part of any training plan, and in watchOS 9, the Workout app introduces Custom Workouts, which can be used to create a structured workout that can include work and rest intervals. New alerts, including pace, power, heart rate, and cadence, can be added to guide users throughout the workout.”
In addition to sleep stages, one of the most important additions to the Apple Watch feature arsenal is the AFib History support.
Already cleared by the FDA, this new feature will make it possible for users to track how often their heart shows signs of AFib.
“With watchOS 9, users who are diagnosed with AFib can turn on the FDA-cleared AFib History feature and access important information, including an estimate of how frequently a user’s heart rhythm shows signs of AFib, providing deeper insights into their condition. Users will also receive weekly notifications to understand frequency and view a detailed history in the Health app, including lifestyle factors that may influence AFib, like sleep, alcohol consumption, and exercise,” Apple says.
The company hasn’t yet announced when the beta program of watchOS 9 is projected to start, but the final version should launch in September.