Apple unveils watchOS 11 with new health & fitness features

Apple has unveiled the latest iteration of its wearable operating system, watchOS 11, promising significant advancements in health and fitness features, as well as enhanced personalisation and connectivity options for users. Among the new features is the Vitals app, which offers users crucial health metrics, as well as a novel training load measurement system designed to improve physical performance. The update also introduces new functionalities for customising the Activity rings, the Smart Stack, and Photos face, alongside the new Translate app on Apple Watch.

David Clark, Apple's senior director of watchOS Engineering, emphasised that the new update reinforces the Apple Watch's role as an indispensable tool for health, fitness, and staying connected throughout the day. Clark stated, "watchOS 11 makes Apple Watch an even more essential companion by offering users additional actionable insights into their health and fitness, more personalisation to fit their unique needs, and new ways to stay connected while on the go."

The Vitals app in watchOS 11 stands out by aggregating key health metrics including heart rate, respiratory rate, wrist temperature, sleep duration, and blood oxygen levels. This app provides users with a more comprehensive view of their daily health status and alerts them when metrics fall outside typical ranges. These insights are grounded in scientific research and input from clinical experts, with algorithms informed by real-world data from the Apple Heart and Movement Study.

The update also offers specific features for pregnant users. When a pregnancy is logged in the Health app on iPhone or iPad, the Cycle Tracking app on Apple Watch displays gestational age and logs symptoms commonly experienced during pregnancy. The new features also include reminders for monthly mental health assessments and alerts for increased fall risk during the third trimester, leveraging Walking Steadiness measured by iPhone.

Another notable addition is the training load function, which helps users gauge how workout intensity and duration impact their bodies over time. By comparing the intensity and duration of workouts over seven and 28 days, users can make better-informed decisions about their training regimens. Effort ratings for cardio-based workouts will be automatically estimated using various data points, such as age, weight, and workout specifics. These ratings can be adjusted manually to account for personal factors like stress or soreness.

In further efforts to personalise user experience, watchOS 11 allows for more customisation of Activity rings, enabling users to pause their rings without losing their award streaks. Additionally, training goals can be tailored by the day of the week, providing appropriate motivation levels at suitable times.

The Smart Stack makes access to important information more intelligent in watchOS 11. New widgets such as Shazam, Photos, and Distance are available, with suggestions based on time, date, and location. Interactive widgets and Live Activities have also been integrated, providing dynamic and timely access to various features.

Updates to the Photos watch face use machine learning to recommend the best photo options, considering factors like aesthetics and composition. Moreover, users can enjoy new levels of personalisation, including layout and font choices, with a Dynamic mode for a fresh photo every time they raise their wrist.

To enhance connectivity, the new Check In feature is accessible during workouts, allowing users to alert friends or family about their activity. The Translate app, supporting 20 languages, now extends the convenience of on-the-go translations directly on the wrist. The double tap gesture has also been upgraded to facilitate easier navigation through any app.

Additional enhancements in watchOS 11 include improved workout types, the ability to set custom interval-based pool swim workouts, and upgraded functionalities in Apple Maps for offline use. Furthermore, summarised notifications and enhanced ticketing options provide greater convenience.

Privacy remains a cornerstone in Apple's design philosophy, with health and fitness data encrypted when the device is locked, ensuring user data remains secure. The update will be available as a free software upgrade for Apple Watch Series 6 or later, in conjunction with iPhone Xs or newer running iOS 18.