Share This Article
Apple is set to introduce a new system of widgets for the Apple Watch with watchOS 10, according to Mark Gurman, who reported the news in his “Power On” newsletter. Widgets will become a “central part” of the Apple Watch’s interface with the latest watchOS update, and users will be able to scroll through a series of different widgets for various functions, such as activity tracking, weather, stock tickers, calendar appointments, and more.
This new interface will be similar to Glances, the widget interface that was launched on the original Apple Watch before being discontinued within a few years. It will also be reminiscent of the Siri watch face introduced in watchOS 4. The new interface will be an overlay for any Apple Watch face, and Gurman says it will be similar to widget stacks, a feature in iOS and iPadOS that allows users to pile many widgets into one and scroll through them.
Apple is reportedly testing changes to the functions performed by the Apple Watch’s buttons. For instance, a press of the Digital Crown may now launch the new widgets view instead of navigating to the home screen. Gurman suggests that this move is an admission that an iPhone-like app experience “doesn’t always make sense on a watch” because “Apple Watch apps have barely caught on”.
Gurman believes that this is one of the Apple Watch’s biggest software updates since its introduction, and the most significant change to the Apple Watch this year. Minor hardware updates are expected to be unveiled later this year. The new interface may be optional since it is a radical departure from the app-centric experience existing Apple Watch users are accustomed to.
Related articles
- Apple Withdraws Lawsuit Against Key Executive Who Left to Start Rival Chip Company
- Apple Watch Pride Band & Watch Face 2023 Edition Rumored Before Official Launch
The Apple Watch is already a popular device, with a significant market share in the wearables space. The introduction of a new system of widgets will enhance the device’s functionality and provide users with a more seamless experience. It remains to be seen whether the new interface will be a hit with users, but with the popularity of the Apple Watch, it is likely that it will be well received.