Apple is set to announce watchOS 3 at WWDC on June 13, where we expect to see the Apple Watch receive a software update by September 2016. Here's everything you need to know about the new watchOS, including release date, rumours and features we would like to see included.
When will WatchOS 3 be released?
What to expect with WatchOS 3
Custom watch faces
This is one of the most-talked about features that's headlining around the world for watchOS 3. With the current watchOS, we've only got the option to select a few stock watch faces, but we would like to ability to create our own and more so, share with the community so that others can use custom watch faces. Having a Batman or Battlefield watch face would prove to make the Apple Watch truly unique. This is currently the case with Android Wear, so we expect Apple to at least give registered developers the ability to create their own watch faces and make them available to the public.
Speed and stability improvements
As with any software update, be it iOS, OS X or watchOS we would expect to see speed and stability improvements. This would be particularly relevant for those who will be running new apps on older Apple Watches - as we also expect to see the Apple Watch 2 released at WWDC 2016. Hopefully, the speed improvements will improve the load time and the multi transitions between apps.
User interface
A tweaked user interface would be a welcomed change, with watchOS 2 being somewhat limited in terms of customisation and is frankly a little confusing to use. As an example, the ability to swipe in certain directions within apps, or even interact with interactive widgets on the main watch face wouth both be great additions to watchOS. Speaking of which, we would like to have the ability to customise the app menu, by making it scrollable (as with Android Wear). Instead of having the apps laid out in a grid, the ability to quickly find an app alphabetically would be welcome by most.
Digital Crown button customisation
The Digital Crown button, found on the side of the Apple Watch would be a great way to provide extra functionality to Apple Watch owners. We don't see this realistically being an update Apple would push, but we would like the ability to change the default behaviour of the button. Pressing it could open a certain app, or directly send you to the clock screen. More customisation through the button would definitely be a healthy addition to the watch.
More apps
We don't see this software update immediately introducing new supported apps, but we do hope to see developers create more Apple Watch specific applications. Better still, we would like to see Apple include more stock iOS apps in its watchOS update. For example, having the News app or even Notes to be natively compatible with the Apple Watch would be a great start.
Siri improvements
Alongside the speed and performance tweaks, we would like to see Siri have better recognition and improvements in its ability to interact with us. Siri is fantastic on iOS and we hope to see it improve in watchOS 3.
Multiple connections
We highly doubt Apple will release this update in watchOS 3, but we would like the new software update to enable us to synchronise an Apple Watch to multiple different iOS devices. For example, having the watch paired with your iPad and iPhone at the same time would be a great addition.
Writer - Liam McClelland | @Liamicy