Apple watchOS 3 will drastically improve performance

Apple has announced that watchOS 3, the next version of its operating system for the Apple Watch, will improve the performance and usability of the device.

“Our top focus is performance, which we’ve improved across the entire system,” said Apple’s Kevin Lynch.

Apps will launch up to seven times faster compared to watchOS 2, he said.

Lynch said that apps should respond instantly, and to achieve that, Apple did the following things:

• Keep favourite apps in memory
• Background updates
• Refreshed information
• Instant Launch feature

In addition to performance improvements, Apple also announced changes to how you reply to messages, and added the Control Centre and new watch faces.

Users will be able to write characters with their fingers in messages, while apps and information will be easier to access.

Fitness and emergency calls

Apple also revealed a new fitness app for its watch, which lets users share workout information and progress with others.

A 911 emergency call feature was also announced, which will call the relevant emergency service of the country a user is in if the watch’s side button is held down.

A preview of watchOS 3 will be available to developers immediately, while a free update will be available for users “this fall” (22 September – 21 December).

WatchOS 3

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