Apple Watch set to be more independent with new software update

USA: Besides iOS 9, Apple at WDDC previewed watchOS 2, the first major software update for Apple Watch. Apple with release gives developers tools to build faster and more powerful apps that can run natively on Apple Watch.

That means, developers now can take advantage of hardware features of Apple Watch including the Digital Crown, Taptic Engine and heart rate sensor, along with software APIs to build new app experiences.

Currently, the apps on the Apple Watch are just an extension of the iPhone apps, as they draw data from apps running on a Bluetooth-connected iPhone. This creates a lag in the app performance as the apps are unable to perform independently on the watch,

With watchOS 2, Apple will now allow developers create native apps for Apple Watch. Besides using the iPhone's connection, the Watch will also be able to connect directly with Wi-Fi networks, which makes the Watch more independent.

WatchKit for watchOS 2

WatchKit gives developers access to key hardware like the Digital Crown, Taptic Engine, heart rate sensor, accelerometer and microphone. New software APIs enable audio and video playback and animation, and with the ClockKit framework, developers can represent their data as complications on the watch face.

Some new Apple Watch features

Available to Apple Watch users this fall, watchOS 2 also includes new watch faces, third-party app information as watch face complications and new communication capabilities in Mail, Friends and Digital Touch.

• watchOS 2 lets you turn your favorite photo into a new watch face or view pictures from your favorite photo album with every raise of your wrist with the new Photo and Photo Album watch faces.
• new Time Travel feature lets users scroll with the Digital Crown to explore events in the future (and past) including upcoming meetings or activities, the temperature for the week, and information from third-party apps, such as upcoming flight information.
• provides more creative ways to communicate. With Mail, you can respond quickly using dictation, Smart Replies or emoji. You can create multiple Friends screens, each of which can hold up to twelve friends, and new friends can be added directly on Apple Watch.
• Digital Touch lets you draw and send sketches with multiple colors on the same canvas, giving you more tools for creative sketches.
• Nightstand Mode that transforms Apple Watch into a bedside alarm clock, with the Digital Crown and side button serving as snooze and off buttons for the alarm;
• the ability to use merchant rewards and store-issued credit and debit cards with Apple Pay, which can be added to Wallet;
• support for Transit in Maps, so you can view detailed transportation maps and schedules, including walking directions to the nearest stations with entrances and exits precisely mapped;
• workouts from third-party fitness apps contributing to your all-day Move and Exercise goals;
• using Siri to start specific workouts, launch Glances and reply to email;
• Activation Lock, which lets users secure their Apple Watch with their Apple ID, preventing another user from wiping or activating the device if it is lost or stolen.