watchOS 27 will have Siri AI, so you’ll be able to use many of the same Siri features that you have on the iPhone on your wrist. Right now, the Siri features aren’t in the watchOS 27 beta, but the integration will be coming later this year. Apple is planning for a Siri app on the watch so you can access all of your Siri conversations.
Siri AI for the watch will rely on a connected iPhone that supports Apple Intelligence, so you’ll need an iPhone 15 Pro or later to use it on your watch. Siri will be able to access your personal data, search the web for info to answer questions, and take actions in apps.
There’s a new dynamic app grid that’s available when you press the Digital Crown. It will put the Siri app front and center, while also showing Siri Suggested apps that include your most used and recently used apps. The view shows multiple apps in addition to Siri and a shortcut to get to the full app list. Apple also improved Liquid Glass with better contrast and more uniform refraction, which boosts readability.
Workout Buddy is now available even without your iPhone nearby, and there are new metrics to keep you motivated, with the watch tracking progressive increases in the distance, pace, and duration of runs. Cycle Tracking now supports menopause/perimenopause recognition and notifications, and treadmill readings will be more accurate.
Apple added a new tap gesture, so you can single-tap your index finger and thumb together to select a widget in the Smart Stack. There are new Smart Stack suggested widgets for finding a parked car, accessing Siri, getting to pinned messages, accessing transit cards, seeing noise notifications, getting reminders for birthdays, and more.
When you’re getting a phone call, your watch can show information relevant to the call, like a flight confirmation number if you’re on the phone with an airline. Custom passes made with the Wallet app on iPhone work on the Apple Watch, and there’s a new unified Find My app for locating devices, items, and people. The Find My app supports Precision Finding for locating an iPhone, AirPods Pro 3, or an AirTag 2.
Under-the-hood improvements bring longer battery life, with Apple disabling little-used features like gestures, Start Workout reminders, and Raise to Speak to preserve battery.
watchOS 27 works on the Apple Watch Series 9 and later, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 and later, and the Apple Watch SE 3.
This article, “Hands-On With watchOS 27: Every New Apple Watch Feature” first appeared on MacRumors.com
Discuss this article in our forums