Apple Reveals watchOS 11 with Enhanced Health and Fitness Features at WWDC 2024

Highlights

Customisable Activity ring goals by day in watchOS 11.
New “training load” metric for monitoring exercise intensity.
Vitals app for comprehensive daily health data.
Smarter watch faces and Live Activities for real-time updates.

At its annual developers conference WWDC, Apple has previewed the next major software update for Apple Watch – watchOS 11.

The upgrade brings several fresh capabilities focused on health tracking and workout management.

Customizable Activity Tracking

With the new Vitals app, Apple Watch users can quickly view key overnight health metrics, receive alerts when two or more metrics are out of their typical range, and gain better context when it comes to their health.

One of the key new features in watchOS 11 is the ability to adjust your Activity ring goals by day of the week.

This allows you to account for rest days while still maintaining your achievement streaks.

You can also set workouts to automatically alert a friend once completed safely, like a late night run.

Training Load Monitoring

In the Activity app, users can see how their training load for the most recent seven days compares to their 28-day training load, classified as well below, below, steady, above, or well above.

watchOS 11 introduces a “training load” metric that monitors your exercise intensity over time.

It uses an algorithm analysing heart rate, altitude, workout duration, age and weight to estimate your overall training effort level.

Revamped Health Tracking

When users log a pregnancy in the Health app on iPhone or iPad, the Cycle Tracking app on Apple Watch will show their gestational age and allow them to log symptoms for things frequently experienced during pregnancy.

The update includes a new Vitals app that provides an at-a-glance overview of your daily health data compared to historical norms.

If multiple metrics seem out of range, you’ll get a tailored message explaining how they could be impacting you.

For users tracking their cycles, watchOS 11 now shows estimated gestational age and pregnancy charts when applicable.

It also adjusts high heart rate notification thresholds accordingly.

Smarter Watch Faces and Live Activities

The Photos face can help users select their best photo options by analyzing thousands of photos using machine learning; then a custom algorithm finds the best composition.

The Photos watch face gets upgraded with improved cropping using machine learning and more customization options.

WatchOS 11 also marks the debut of Live Activities on Apple Watch, providing real-time updates from apps.

To boost convenience, relevant widgets like Translate and Weather will automatically surface in the Smart Stack based on triggers like location and weather conditions.

Updated App Experiences

Designed to help users quickly access important information from any watch face, the Smart Stack is even more intelligent with watchOS 11.

Along with the new Vitals app, watchOS 11 brings the Translate app to Apple Watch for the first time.

The update also enables more capable Live Activities experiences on your wrist.

Watch Model Compatibility

Check In is now available on Apple Watch, including during workouts.

As is typical, some older Apple Watch models won’t be compatible with watchOS 11 when it releases later this year.

Only the Apple Watch Series 6 and newer, including the latest Apple Watch Ultra, will be able to install the software update.

The first developer beta of watchOS 11 is available today, with a public beta expected to follow in July ahead of the official release likely coming this fall.

FAQs

What new health tracking features are included in watchOS 11?

watchOS 11 introduces a new Vitals app that provides an overview of daily health data compared to historical norms.

It also includes features for tracking cycles, estimated gestational age, and pregnancy charts.

How does the customizable Activity tracking work in watchOS 11?

Users can adjust their Activity ring goals by day of the week to account for rest days while maintaining achievement streaks.

The update also allows workouts to automatically alert a friend once completed safely.

What is the “training load” metric in watchOS 11?

The “training load” metric monitors exercise intensity over time, using an algorithm that analyses heart rate, altitude, workout duration, age, and weight to estimate overall training effort level.

Which Apple Watch models are compatible with watchOS 11?

watchOS 11 will be compatible with Apple Watch Series 6 and newer models, including the latest Apple Watch Ultra. Older models will not support the update.

What improvements are made to watch faces and Live Activities in watchOS 11?

The Photos watch face now features improved cropping using machine learning and more customization options. watchOS 11 also introduces Live Activities on Apple Watch, providing real-time updates from apps.

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