With the Apple Watch Series 9 now available, Apple is releasing watchOS 10.1 beta 1 to developers. This update is expected to bring the first sights of the accessibility feature Double Tap and the already-announced NameDrop function.
See what we’re expecting with watchOS 10.1 beta 1:
NameDrop from iPhone to Apple Watch: NameDrop is a new feature that lets you easily share your contact information from one iPhone to another by approaching them. While this function is available for iOS 17 users, Apple says that nearing an iPhone to Apple Watch to perform the same action will be possible later this year with Apple Watch Series 6 and later, Apple Watch SE (1st and 2nd generation), and Apple Watch Ultra.
In addition, Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 are expecting an exclusive feature that Apple says requires the new S9 SiP:
Double tap gestures: Users can easily control the Apple Watch Series 9 using just one hand and without touching the display by tapping the index finger and thumb of their watch hand together twice to quickly and conveniently perform many of the most common actions on the Watch. The faster Neural Engine enables this new double tap gesture, which processes data from the accelerometer, gyroscope, and optical heart sensor with a new machine learning algorithm.
While we still have to wait for the beta cycle to follow, Apple also needs to improve support for complications, as many users have complained that their weather complications don’t refresh – in addition to several other issues.
Since watchOS 10 is Apple’s biggest watchOS update in years, it’s usual that some features aren’t working as expected. Still, we wait for Cupertino to fix them soon, as they’re interrupting people’s workflows – such as missing calendar appointments, being unable to see the weather, or even how their heart rate is.
In addition to watchOS 10.1 beta 1, Apple is also releasing the first beta of iOS 17.1, iPadOS 17.1, and tvOS 17.1.
BGR will let you know once we learn more about this update.
