Despite the fact that the Apple Watch Sequence 9 is a modest improve over the Sequence 8, Apple’s smartwatch developed in an enormous approach in 2023. The brand new widget-centric interface in WatchOS 10 makes it simpler to see bits of data at a look, for example. And the Sequence 9’s Double Faucet gesture introduces a brand new technique of interacting with the watch, the primary such change in years.
However Apple might have large plans in retailer for subsequent yr’s Apple Watch, if a report from Bloomberg seems to be correct. Apple may break free from its typical naming conference and name its subsequent smartwatch the Apple Watch X (learn as 10) in honor of the system’s tenth anniversary, much like the iPhone X, in keeping with the report. The so-called Apple Watch X, which can debut in 2024 or 2025, may reportedly have a thinner design, a brand new mechanism for attaching bands, a microLED display screen and blood strain monitoring, says Bloomberg.
There are many different methods Apple may enhance its smartwatch, too. The corporate may flip its watch into a good smarter and extra useful well being assistant with extra AI integration. Since Double Faucet is comparatively new, there’s plenty of alternative for updates and optimizations that make it extra handy than truly tapping the display screen.
Then there are the upgrades I have been wanting for years, like longer battery life, exercise restoration metrics, extra customizable exercise targets and extra sleep insights. I nonetheless hope to see these enhancements arrive both in a brand new mannequin or by a software program replace. However listed below are some further methods the Apple Watch may evolve in 2024.
Extra AI smarts, particularly for health-related options
Siri will be capable to reply health-related questions on the Sequence 9, due to a future software program replace.
Apple gave the Apple Watch Sequence 9 an AI enhance. It is the primary mannequin that may course of sure kinds of Siri requests regionally. Queries that do not require a solution from the web — resembling setting alarms or timers — will be carried out on the system itself with out pinging the cloud, rushing up the entire course of. A future software program replace will make it attainable for Siri to answer health-related questions on this approach, enabling it to reply requests about your sleep from the evening earlier than and about Exercise Ring progress.
However Apple may make its watch an much more intuitive well being agent, and it appears like this new Siri performance is only one step in that route. The rise of generative AI has opened up new prospects for making information simpler to know by delivering solutions in a extra conversational approach. Google’s Fitbit, one among Apple’s rivals within the well being monitoring house, is already experimenting on this space. In October, Fitbit teased a brand new program, referred to as Fitbit Labs, that’ll arrive subsequent yr. It’s going to initially join the dots between sure information factors and use generative AI to reply questions resembling why you had been extra drained than ordinary after your morning run.
That sort of perception would transcend merely logging information and turning it right into a graph or chart. It will make it simpler to truly change your habits based mostly on the data coming out of your smartwatch. The Apple Watch’s Exercise Rings already encourage you to rise up and transfer or take just a few further steps. Now think about how far more motivating it might be with observations like these.
Future Apple Watches may certainly embrace extra AI-powered well being instruments. Bloomberg experiences that the tech big is engaged on an AI-fueled teaching program that’ll present Apple Watch wearers with tailor-made ideas and recommendation.
Extra Double Faucet performance
To Double Faucet on the Apple Watch Sequence 9, you faucet your index finger and thumb collectively.
Apple ought to double down on Double Faucet by including extra customization choices. The movement, which includes tapping your thumb and index finger collectively twice, presently permits you to scroll by your widgets, reply a cellphone name, snooze an alarm, pause a timer and extra.
However I might like to see extra methods to personalize Double Faucet. You’ll be able to determine whether or not Double Faucet advances your widget stack or selects a widget, or whether or not it pauses music or skips to the subsequent monitor. Whereas I recognize this flexibility, I want there have been different choices. For instance, you must be capable to choose whether or not to repeat a timer as a substitute of ending it, or snooze an alarm versus dismissing it. Proper now Double Faucet merely dismisses timers and snooze alarms, with no choice to determine to carry out the opposite motion. I want I may select, or maybe triple-tap to carry out the opposite possibility as a substitute.
Double Faucet is not meant to be a alternative for touching your watch, so it is performance is understandably restricted in contrast with different gestures like tapping and swiping. If Apple does have updates in retailer for Double Faucet, chances are you’ll not have to attend for a brand new Apple Watch mannequin. Apple may theoretically embrace adjustments like these in its subsequent software program replace.
An up to date design
From left: The Apple Watch Sequence 9 in stainless-steel and in aluminum.
The Apple Watch has acquired just a few design tweaks through the years, nevertheless it’s the pricier Apple Watch Extremely that is gained extra important bodily upgrades, like an even bigger display screen and extra sturdy construct. Although Apple should not stray too removed from the present mannequin’s look, I might prefer to see some adjustments. Apple revamped the iPhone’s design for its tenth anniversary, so I may think about the corporate doing one thing particular for the tenth technology Apple Watch — like maybe a brand new end or colour.
Bloomberg experiences that Apple might have some design adjustments in its pipeline for the rumored Apple Watch X. The corporate is reportedly engaged on a slimmer case and microLED screens for the Apple Watch, which might make its tiny show look extra vivid.
A brand new magnetic methodology of attaching wristbands may additionally be in growth for a future Apple Watch, in keeping with the report, although it is unclear if it might debut on the Apple Watch X. Such a change would probably include benefits and drawbacks for Apple Watch house owners, nevertheless. On the upside, it may make it simpler for Apple to slim down the watch’s case, since Bloomberg’s report says the present attachment methodology occupies plenty of house. However it might additionally probably break compatibility with the previous decade of present Apple Watch wristbands.
Design is not at all times a very powerful factor with regards to tech devices. However smartwatches are the exception, contemplating they’re meant to be worn in plain view all day lengthy. It is one of many uncommon cases wherein a recent design could also be sufficient to persuade folks with older watches to improve.
An Motion button on the common mannequin
The Apple Watch Extremely 2 (pictured) and Apple Watch Extremely have an Motion button.
Ever because the Apple Watch Extremely debuted in 2022, I have been awaiting the Motion button’s arrival on cheaper Apple Watch fashions. The Motion button turned out to be a useful method to shortly launch a exercise or soar between apps, and I’ve lengthy argued that it ought to be part of the default Apple Watch expertise. After I tried the Apple Watch Extremely final yr, for instance, I liked utilizing it to start out an out of doors stroll exercise with simply a few faucets.
Now that Apple has introduced the Motion button to the iPhone 15 Professional, I am hoping it will trickle all the way down to different gadgets, just like the anticipated Apple Watch X. Placing the Motion button on premium merchandise just like the Apple Watch Extremely and iPhone 15 Professional was a superb place to begin. However now that widgets play an even bigger position in how we typically navigate the Apple Watch’s interface, there’s extra room for bodily buttons to shine with regards to particular focused circumstances, like shortcuts. And that is particularly essential on a display screen as small because the Apple Watch’s.
The Apple Watch has come a great distance since its arrival nearly 10 years in the past. I might prefer to see Apple push it to the subsequent degree by infusing extra intelligence into well being monitoring; bringing it on top of things with helpful options we have seen in different merchandise, just like the Motion button; and embracing its roots as a vogue accent, with a recent look.
