NEW DELHI: It’s a big day for Apple users. The company is not only launching the latest version of its iOS 10 mobile operating system, but also a new operating system for Apple Watch and Apple TV, called watchOS 3 and tvOS 10 respectively. While the clockOS brings improvements to Siri, redesigned user interface, new watch face and more, the tvOS 10 offers better YouTube and Siri search, dark mode, and easy login process, among others.
To download watchOS 3, users are recommended to install the latest version of iOS and keep the Apple Watch’s minimum charge at up to 50%. They can also keep the watch on the charger until the update is complete. Additionally, users can connect the iPhone to the Wi-Fi network and keep it within range of the smartwatch.
Users would then need to open the Apple Watch app on the iPhone, tap the My Watch tab > General > Software Update. Download the update and follow the rest of the process as prompted. More details can be found on the company’s dedicated page. To download tvOS 10, users should go to Settings > System > Software Updates > Software Update on their Apple TV (4th generation). They can then download and install the OS version by following the process. On Apple TV (2nd and 3rd generation), users can go to Settings > General > Software Update to download the new version of the operating system. More details can be found on the company’s dedicated page.
With watchOS 3, apps will now respond instantly with faster loading times. OS improvements help it load apps seven times faster compared to the current watchOS 2.
The new version also adds quick reply options for messages with smart replies. One of the highlights of watchOS 3 is Scribble. With this feature, Apple Watch users can now doodle on the screen to write a message.
A new Minnie Mouse watch face is now also available along with a new activity watch face, which itself is available in analogue, chronograph and digital versions. The platform also has deeper integration with other services. Apple has also introduced a new emergency feature in watchOS 3: SOS. Users can long press the side button under the crown to automatically initiate a call to 911 emergency service. It also displays emergency contacts set up by users on the Apple Watch screen. The SOS function also works internationally. Certain changes are also included in the health and fitness departments.
tvOS now has new apps like Sling, Fox Sports, Molotov, and more. NBA 2K, Minecraft story mode and other games will also be available. Users can take the help of Siri to issue commands. The app can also use the iPhone’s accelerometer and gyroscope to act as a game controller, in addition to having other TV remote control functionality. Siri can now search for movies by topic using voice commands. There are also live channels available.
Apple has also simplified signing in across multiple devices with a new single sign-on feature. Users would only have to log in once to access all the apps on their devices. Additionally, a new dark mode has also been introduced. Users will be able to download any app on iPhone and see it appear on Apple TV (if supported) automatically. The developer preview of tvOS is now available and end customers will receive it later this year.