The new version of the Apple Watch operating system is full of surprises.
In mid-September, Apple released the final version of watchOS 9 with a large number of interesting new features such as low power mode or sleep monitoring. But there are small changes in the software of watch OS 9 which have gone unnoticed.
Whether you are planning to download and install watchOS 9 on your Apple Watch or you already have it installed, you will be interested in this series of improvements and novelties which have been implemented in the update of the Apple Smart Watch operating system.
In this list, we’ll show you a collection of news that you might not know yet, either because they’re more hidden or because Apple didn’t mention them in the watchOS 9 software overview.
These are the lesser known news of watchOS 9 for Apple Watch
watchOS 9 comes with a lot of news for the Apple Watch
follow podcasts
It seems to be a small novelty without importance but, although previously we could listen to podcasts from the Apple Watch, it was not possible to follow a program directly from the watch but it was necessary to do it first from the iPhone then receive all the news from each podcast on the wrist.
Now, with the arrival on the scene of watchOS 9, it is finally possible follow and unfollow podcasts directly from the Apple Watch software. You can choose to search for a podcast or find it through the “Listen” section to follow.
Add calendar events
Something similar happened with the Calendar app. Before the release of watchOS 9, it was possible to access all the information of upcoming events in the calendar… but you could not add new events. Fortunately, now you can add events to the Calendar app directly from Apple Watch.
To add a new event to the calendar with watchOS 9, simply open the Calendar app, tap the (…) button, and select the option to add a new event. As simple as that.
Receive email notifications
Apple Watch users have always had the option of receiving email notifications on the Apple Watch. Of course, as long as it was paired with the iPhone. With watchOS 9, this will change and email notifications will continue to arrive even if the Apple Watch is far from the iPhone.
As reported by Macrumors, the new feature uses iCloud servers to access email accounts. Now, the feature needs to be manually enabled in the Mail section of the iPhone Watch app.
New sphere of astronomy
The 4 new faces included in watchOS 9
With the arrival of iOS 16, the signature of the bitten apple logo has introduced a series of new live or dynamic wallpapers to improve the customization of the iPhone lock screen. But now with watchOS 9 we have a wallpaper or watch face inspired by the astronomy which looks like dynamic wallpapers.
The new Astronomy watch face in watchOS 9 is actually an improved version of the previous Astronomy watch face, but with many new features. Includes a star map, location-based weather information, and views of the Moon, planet Earth, or solar system. It offers support for two complications and allows customization of typography. It is a very complete sphere. In addition, it is possible to see the different phases of the Moon by turning the Digital Crown of the Apple Watch.
Customize the spheres with focus modes
Focus Modes have come to the Apple ecosystem to stay. There are several features that can be customized in each focus mode, and in watchOS 9 one of them is the spheres.
In other words, we can select a different sphere for each concentration mode. Something extremely practical that, in addition to offering an aesthetic change, also allows users to know in detail which mode of concentration they are using instantly.
As usual with these types of customization features, changes must be made through the Settings app on the iPhone. In this case specifically from the “Focus Modes” section. Just select the sphere you like the most and you’re done.
Show edited posts
One of the big new features of the Messages app in iOS and iPadOS 16 is the ability to edit previously sent messages. When a user edits a post, a blue flag text with the word “Edited” appears in their status. This also happens in watchOS 9.
But, in addition, watchOS 9 offers the possibility of seeing the modifications of the messages received. To do this, all you need to do is keep your finger pressed on the word “Edited” colored blue to reveal all changes. To hide them again, click “Hide edits”.
Change the order of apps in the Dock
The Apple Watch Dock offers a quick view of the most recent apps, as well as the most used apps. But watchOS 9 allows apps that run in the background appear in the top positions from the Dock.
This is a function that greatly facilitates the use of the software, and you do not have to perform any action to activate this new feature of watchOS 9 since it is activated by default.
Turn off mobile data
Indeed, although it may seem like a bad joke, in previous iterations of the watchOS software it was not possible to disable the mobile data of the Apple Watch. This caused the mobile data to consume a large amount of battery.
Finally, with watchOS 9, Apple has decided to implement a button so that users can turn off mobile data from your Apple Watch whenever they deem it necessary.
Change text size from Control Center
The watchOS Control Center is one of the most useful control panels in the system, and always has been. But that doesn’t mean you can’t receive small improvements that complement your user experience.
With the release of watchOS 9, Apple Watch users now have the ability to change text size directly from the control center. A wonderful accessibility feature.
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