Following the “California Streaming” event, at which Apple announced the new Apple Watch Series 7, the company is now distributing the Release Candidate version of watchOS 8 to all developers. All of this is new with the upcoming Apple Watch operating system.
The current version is 19R346. Public beta testers will have to wait a little longer until they can test the RC version. The beta testing program watchOS 8 began on June 30 with beta 2.
The company is also distributing iOS 15 RC, tvOS 15 RC and HomePod 15 RC to all developers. Recently, the company also released macOS Monterey beta 6.
With watchOS 8 beta 5, Apple introduced a new Time icon, which is also available in the current beta.
With watchOS 8 beta 2, Apple has introduced the new “Portrait” Watch Face, which is one of the many features available in the upcoming Apple Watch operating system. In contrast, with beta 3, Apple only corrected bugs and provided a better overall experience.
watchOS 8 includes, for example, new integrated applications that take advantage of the screen always used in the Apple Watch Series 5 and the Apple Watch Series 6. There is also a new way to develop in the always active screen.
With watchOS 8 this fall, here are the news of this version:
- There is a new version of the Breathe app, now called Mindfulness;
- Respiratory rate is now measured during sleep monitoring;
- Revised photo app with highlights and memories;
- Photos can now be shared from the clock with Messages and Mail on watchOS 8;
- Scribble now allows you to include emoji in handwritten messages;
- The iMessage app shelf includes image search and quick access to photos;
- Find My now includes articles (including AirTags);
- The weather includes precipitation the next hour;
- Apple Watch can make multiple timers for the first time;
- Tips are now available on the Apple Watch;
- Music can be shared from Apple Watch via Messages.
About a month ago, Apple released watchOS 7.6.1 to all users with “major security updates” for Apple Watch.
You can find our full summary on the upcoming Apple Watch operating system here.
Did you find anything new in this beta? Let us know in the comments below or on Twitter, @GeorgeMac.
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