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watchOS 10.1 Beta 2 Adds Support for Double Tap

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Apr 12, 2001
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The second watchOS 10.1 update that Apple released to developers today adds support for Double Tap, a main new feature for the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 devices.

apple-watch-ultra-double-tap.jpg

Double Tap lets Apple Watch users double tap an index finger and thumb together to interact with the Apple Watch using one hand. The sensors in the Apple Watch are able to detect the fine movements, registering it as a tap on the display.

The Double Tap gesture can be used to perform single-tap actions such as answering or ending a phone call, stopping a timer, playing and pausing music, snoozing or turning off an alarm, and more.

Because Double Tap is enabled through the S9 chip in the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra, it is a feature that is limited to these models.

Article Link: watchOS 10.1 Beta 2 Adds Support for Double Tap
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2023/10/03/watchos-10-1-double-tap-support/
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I'm not a fan of new software features being locked behind new generation hardware that technically doesn't have to be. Even odder that besides the brighter screen, this is the new feature / value add of Series 9 and wasn't even available at release :O

Older series watches are completely capable of this as far as I know, given its already been there somewhat with accessibility

..in the same way no reason 14 pro / pro max can't get the snazzy iPhone 15 camera software improvements

sigh.
 
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syklee26 said:
I don’t understand this. I thought this has been available for a while via accessiblity section of the setting. What is different?
Click to expand...
Under accessibility allows you to go through the entire interface item by item and allows someone to make use of the watch. This is targeted responses to specific input and are more intended for convenience instead of all around watch UI usage.

Though I should have it installed later today to compare.
 
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thadoggfather said:
I'm not a fan of new software features being locked behind new generation hardware that technically doesn't have to be. Even odder that besides the brighter screen, this is the new feature / value add of Series 9 and wasn't even available at release :O

Older series watches are completely capable of this as far as I know, given its already been there somewhat with accessibility

..in the same way no reason 14 pro / pro max can't get the snazzy iPhone 15 camera software improvements

sigh.
Click to expand...
Become an Apple Stock Holder and then you will understand. ;);)
 
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thadoggfather said:
I'm not a fan of new software features being locked behind new generation hardware that technically doesn't have to be. Even odder that besides the brighter screen, this is the new feature / value add of Series 9 and wasn't even available at release :O

Older series watches are completely capable of this as far as I know, given its already been there somewhat with accessibility

..in the same way no reason 14 pro / pro max can't get the snazzy iPhone 15 camera software improvements

sigh.
Click to expand...

The new Apple Watch Series 9 has a brand new processor with better on-device ML (machine learning) capabilities, unlike the previous 3 generations that were minor iterations of the same Series 6 processor.

As for the camera improvements, are you talking about the "regular" iPhone 15, or the Pro model? The Pro model has the new A17 processor, whereas the 14 Pro and the regular 15 have the A16 Bionic. Different processors, different capabilities.

So it's not some arbitrary software-lock. There are actual hardware differences that matter.
 
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It’s very similar to quick actions under Accessibility- but adds more intelligent contexts where Quick Actions just worked for a few use cases.

I noticed in the dock they added in app icons too in this beta.
 
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coolfactor said:
The new Apple Watch Series 9 has a brand new processor with better on-device ML (machine learning) capabilities, unlike the previous 3 generations that were minor iterations of the same Series 6 processor.

As for the camera improvements, are you talking about the "regular" iPhone 15, or the Pro model? The Pro model has the new A17 processor, whereas the 14 Pro and the regular 15 have the A16 Bionic. Different processors, different capabilities.

So it's not some arbitrary software-lock. There are actual hardware differences that matter.
Click to expand...

Referring to regular iPhone 15 models.

And surely a new watch CPU isn't needed for a simple gesture (IMO)
 
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coolfactor said:
So it's not some arbitrary software-lock. There are actual hardware differences that matter.
Click to expand...
No one knows for sure. Only Apple employees. I’m leaning it’s a mix of both. In the case of the watch, it already has assistive touch so this could be similarly implemented, but guess apple needed something to differentiate the new watch that are otherwise identical.
 
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DotCom2 said:
Become an Apple Stock Holder and then you will understand. ;);)
Click to expand...
I always wonder if long term it is better or worse to do this though. It builds resentment over time when they lock software features behind new hardware.

Being in the Apple ecosystem is just weird. I had an iPod, but never used a Mac besides as a kid on like an Apple II. I was using a Treo when the iPhone came out and I realized how awesome it would be to have an iPod + smartphone in one device. When I got the iPhone it was amazing. The next week I switched to a Macbook. My house is full of Apple products - phones, watches, homepods, airpods, etc. I love their products. There is also a part of me that hates Apple, too. The products are so expensive compared to competitors, but yet they are the cheapest company - things like low ram, locking small software features behind hardware, etc. I'm not abandoning ship any time soon, but it doesn't sit well. Some day someone will eventually will come along and replace them and I'll happily jump ship.
 
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Employee: Tim, we have a problem with our latest Apple Watch... come take a look

Tim: I'm looking, and I can't see any problem or difference to the last Apple Watch

Employee: Precisely...

Tim: I want you to innovate... remove accessibility feature, then return feature in a subsequent update. We will call it double dipping... I mean Double Tap.

Employee to other employees: Yo guys, we are double tapping this stuff now....
 
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JCCL said:
No one knows for sure. Only Apple employees. I’m leaning it’s a mix of both. In the case of the watch, it already has assistive touch so this could be similarly implemented, but guess apple needed something to differentiate the new watch that are otherwise identical.
Click to expand...
One big difference I am seeing is that it does a much better job of picking the correct action.
 
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