All articles tagged with #apple watch
Apple releases watchOS 27 Beta 3 with faster Siri and a new Siri app, plus subtle UI tweaks; major features are sparse, some bugs fixed (notably with third‑party heart-rate monitors) and overall stability improved, but installation is a one‑way, ~3.9 GB upgrade with no independent downgrade, so proceed cautiously.
watchOS 27 introduces three Health-focused upgrades: Cycle Tracking can notify users about perimenopause and menopause patterns and offer related resources; Workout Buddy gains new insights, can run without an iPhone nearby, and adds Spanish language support; and indoor walk/run distance accuracy improves with better motion tracking, plus Health and Fitness step counts finally sync.
Apple’s watchOS 26 sleep score rates sleep quality using duration, bedtime consistency, and interruptions. The piece suggests making sleep-score data more actionable by turning off notifications for high/very high scores and enabling alerts only for OK, Low, or Very Low scores, so you get a morning prompt when sleep quality is worse (and can reflect on causes). It also explains how to enable these granular alerts on iPhone (Watch app > Sleep Score Notifications) or directly on the Apple Watch, and notes the score’s basic calculation and device requirements.
A known leaker says Apple plans a major Apple Watch redesign for 2027, featuring a new magnetic band attachment system and extra space for a larger battery, potentially breaking current band compatibility. The chatter traces back to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman about an “Apple Watch X” concept, with timing and specifics unclear and some rumors suggesting a delay rather than a cancellation. The redesign would follow Apple’s historical cadence of yearly iterations, roughly every three years per generation.
A Weibo leaker claims the 2027 Apple Watch will receive a major overhaul with a redesigned case that could break compatibility with existing bands, reviving years-old rumors of an 'Apple Watch X' redesign; the report also notes rumored major changes for the 2026 Apple Watch Ultra 4 and cautions buyers to pause buying extra bands until the redesign lands.
Some wearables, notably Apple Watch and Samsung Galaxy Watch, can screen for signs of sleep apnea (not diagnose it) using sensors and require setup with multiple nights of data; Withings' ScanWatch has FDA clearance for breathing disturbances but isn't marketed as a sleep-apnea alert; Garmin and Oura track breathing without FDA clearance; Fitbit and Whoop lack FDA-cleared respiratory features. If screening suggests apnea, see a doctor for evaluation.
Amazon Prime Day 2026 brings time‑sensitive discounts on Apple gear with all-time lows on AirPods products (AirPods Max 2 at $399, AirPods 4 at $99, AirPods Pro 3 at $189.99), AirTag 2 from $24 (1‑pack) and $89 (4‑pack), Apple Watch Ultra 3 at $649, Apple Watch Series 11 and SE 3 at post‑discount prices, and notable reductions on MacBook Air, iPad Air, and iPad models. Deals are moving quickly and require an Amazon Prime membership; MacRumors will continue updating with the latest bargains.
Prime Day cuts hit Apple Watch hard: Series 11 drops to all-time lows (42mm from $279, 46mm from $309; GPS and GPS+Cell options), Ultra 3 sees up to $150 off across configurations (prices from $649–$749 depending on band), and SE 3 delivers unbeatable entry-level value (40mm from $199, 44mm from $229 with cellular options from $249–$329). The piece notes watchOS 27 unveiling and provides a quick comparison between Series 11 and SE 3 features to help buyers decide.
Bloomberg’s Power On newsletter outlines a massive Apple product surge for 2026–27, including the first iPhone Ultra and a MacBook Ultra, plus AI-enabled iPads, an OLED MacBook Pro redesign with Dynamic Island, new Apple Watch Ultra 4, AirPods with cameras, Apple Glasses, and a broader smart‑home lineup, as CEO John Ternus begins leading the wave in what could be Apple’s largest product push in years.
New tests show AirPods Pro 3 track heart rate with surprising accuracy—averaging around 1.67% error against a Polar chest strap—nearly matching many smartwatches, but the Apple Watch Series 11 still offers the best precision; earbuds are becoming a credible secondary health tracker and hint at a future where wearables beyond the wrist lead heart-rate data collection.
Apple announced watchOS 27 at WWDC with a fall rollout, but many older Watches (including the original Watch Ultra) won’t receive the update and will only get security updates; new features like Siri AI and heightened gestures require newer hardware (Series 9, Ultra 2, SE 3), so owners of older models may want to upgrade for the best experience.
watchOS 27 drops support for Series 6, Series 7, Series 8, the second-generation Apple Watch SE, and the first-generation Apple Watch Ultra, limiting compatibility to SE (3rd gen), Series 9, Series 10, Series 11, Ultra 2, and Ultra 3. Apple says the changes prioritize power and performance to ensure a better experience on newer hardware, while older watches can still pair with the latest iPhones and receive security updates. The update also introduces Siri AI with a dedicated app, a dynamic app grid, and improvements to Workout Buddy; developer beta is available now, with a public beta in July and a fall-wide release.
Apple says watchOS 27 will skip five older Apple Watch models—Series 6, 7, 8, SE 2, and the original Ultra—shifting them to basic security updates only. The cutoff is driven by performance needs for new features like Siri AI and the tap gesture, which are best supported on newer hardware (Series 9 and Ultra 2 or newer, SE 3). Older watches with the latest iPhone will still work and receive security updates, while watchOS 27 is in developer beta with a public beta coming next month and a fall release planned.
watchOS 27 introduces a new one-tap gesture (touch index finger to thumb) to select a widget in the Smart Stack, complementing the existing double-tap and wrist flick, making navigation easier when your other hand is occupied.
Engadget highlights 10 lesser-known Apple Watch features you can set up in minutes, including Auto Unlock with a Mac, Backtrack in Compass, one-handed gestures (double-tap, wrist flick), Camera Remote for iPhone photos, Find My iPhone with flashlight, Walkie-Talkie, named timers, Apple Pay, Speak Time, and Digital Touch heartbeat sharing, to extend everyday usefulness and convenience.