watchOS 5 Wishlist: Features MacRumors Readers Want to See Introduced in the Next Apple Watch Software Update

[AussieAppleFan]

I would like a live step counter complication as well.

At the moment I'm using a pretty great little app called HealthFace - it lets you put different health data in whichever complication you want. Works pretty well, but native is always better.

Third Party Watch Faces would be awesome!

 

[falcn]

Wow- this list is missing the biggest failure: no WiFi access. If you have WiFi at home you can get iMessages and take calls from your iPhone to your iPad but if your watch is not in the same room, forget it. I hate the fact the I watch can’t get notifications or calls or imessages on my watch if my phone was left in the other room and it can’t take advantage of WiFi.

You probably already got a 100 replies saying this exact thing, but watch has wifi access.
I leave my phone at home and still get calls and notifications when I'm at the gym on my non-LTE s3.

You probably have a 5Ghz network, watch doesn't support 5Ghz. If you have a dual band router, make sure that your iPhone knows the password to your 2.4Ghz SSID

 

[schalliol]

I’d like to see a better way to handle hiking. It should show you your map during the hike and allow you to see your activity map afterwards.

 

[Vjosullivan]

Two-day battery life thanks to enhanced power management.

More like seven day. Two days barely gets you through a weekend away from home, unless you bring (yet another) charger with you.

 

[Jezrix]

The Worldwide Developers Conference is just about a week and a half away, and while we've heard some rumors on what we might see in iOS 12 and macOS 10.14, watchOS 5, the next-generation software update for the Apple Watch, remains a total mystery.

With no idea what to expect, we asked MacRumors readers what new features and tweaks they would most like to see in the watchOS 5 update.

[*]Live step count complication - MacRumors reader Breezygirl would like to see Apple add a live step complication that lets you see how many steps you've completed at a glance, rather than just a complication that lets you know how close you've come to hitting your activity ring goal.
[*]Third-party watch faces - Third-party watch faces are highly desired by most Apple Watch owners on the forums, but so far, Apple has kept the Apple Watch locked down to control the design and interface of the device. As MacRumors reader Relentless Power suggests, a watch face store that includes a variety of watch faces from third-party developers and companies would be great.
[*]Activity app improvements - Right now, the Activity app requires you to hit your goals each and every day to keep a streak going, which can be difficult at times and allows for no rest. MacRumors reader SoYoung would like to be able to set rest days.
[*]Workout app improvements - In the same vein, MacRumors reader Rbart is hoping for a better workout app for running that's closer in design to Strava with additional statistics, a complete history, best performances, and more. Honglong1976, meanwhile, would like to see automatic activity detection to alleviate the need to start a workout.
[*]Podcasts for Apple Watch - Multiple MacRumors readers would like to see a dedicated Podcasts app on the Apple Watch for listening to podcasts on the wrist-worn device.
[*]Off-wrist Notifications indicator - MacRumors reader Lennyvalentin would like to see the Apple Watch better able to keep track of incoming notifications even when off the wrist, with those notifications still showing up but with an indication to note that they were received while the Apple Watch was idle.
[*]Proximity notifications - There's no way to set the Apple Watch to ping when it goes out of range of the iPhone, a feature MacRumors reader Justiny would like to see as a way to keep track of the iPhone and get a reminder if it's left behind.
[*]Sleep tracking - This one is probably a long shot given that Apple suggests people charge their Apple Watches at night, but MacRumors readers would like to see native sleep tracking capabilities.
[*]Always-on display - Given battery constraints, Apple has never implemented an always-on display for the Apple Watch, which is another highly desired feature. The Apple Watch display comes on when the wrist is raised, but it would be nice to have always-on access to the time as is possible with a traditional watch.
[*]Better health analysis and suggestions - MacRumors reader Bluecoast would like to see Apple better take advantage of the health information it collects with the watch to add recommendations and coaching for those who are aiming to meet health goals, as well as deeper analysis.

Is there something you're hoping to see in watchOS 5 that didn't make it on our list? Make sure to let us know in the comments.

Article Link: watchOS 5 Wishlist: Features MacRumors Readers Want to See Introduced in the Next Apple Watch Software Update

[doublepost=1527509724][/doublepost]As a flight attendant, I love my Apple Watch as it’s fantastic for time zones and messages at a glance, however when I fly back and forth across the date line, it doesn’t understand the loss of a day, therefore I’m never able to complete a full month of all three goals. I have many flight attendant and pilot friends that complain about this.

 

[pauli123]

The Worldwide Developers Conference is just about a week and a half away, and while we've heard some rumors on what we might see in iOS 12 and macOS 10.14, watchOS 5, the next-generation software update for the Apple Watch, remains a total mystery.

With no idea what to expect, we asked MacRumors readers what new features and tweaks they would most like to see in the watchOS 5 update.

[*]Live step count complication - MacRumors reader Breezygirl would like to see Apple add a live step complication that lets you see how many steps you've completed at a glance, rather than just a complication that lets you know how close you've come to hitting your activity ring goal.
[*]Third-party watch faces - Third-party watch faces are highly desired by most Apple Watch owners on the forums, but so far, Apple has kept the Apple Watch locked down to control the design and interface of the device. As MacRumors reader Relentless Power suggests, a watch face store that includes a variety of watch faces from third-party developers and companies would be great.
[*]Activity app improvements - Right now, the Activity app requires you to hit your goals each and every day to keep a streak going, which can be difficult at times and allows for no rest. MacRumors reader SoYoung would like to be able to set rest days.
[*]Workout app improvements - In the same vein, MacRumors reader Rbart is hoping for a better workout app for running that's closer in design to Strava with additional statistics, a complete history, best performances, and more. Honglong1976, meanwhile, would like to see automatic activity detection to alleviate the need to start a workout.
[*]Podcasts for Apple Watch - Multiple MacRumors readers would like to see a dedicated Podcasts app on the Apple Watch for listening to podcasts on the wrist-worn device.
[*]Off-wrist Notifications indicator - MacRumors reader Lennyvalentin would like to see the Apple Watch better able to keep track of incoming notifications even when off the wrist, with those notifications still showing up but with an indication to note that they were received while the Apple Watch was idle.
[*]Proximity notifications - There's no way to set the Apple Watch to ping when it goes out of range of the iPhone, a feature MacRumors reader Justiny would like to see as a way to keep track of the iPhone and get a reminder if it's left behind.
[*]Sleep tracking - This one is probably a long shot given that Apple suggests people charge their Apple Watches at night, but MacRumors readers would like to see native sleep tracking capabilities.
[*]Always-on display - Given battery constraints, Apple has never implemented an always-on display for the Apple Watch, which is another highly desired feature. The Apple Watch display comes on when the wrist is raised, but it would be nice to have always-on access to the time as is possible with a traditional watch.
[*]Better health analysis and suggestions - MacRumors reader Bluecoast would like to see Apple better take advantage of the health information it collects with the watch to add recommendations and coaching for those who are aiming to meet health goals, as well as deeper analysis.

Is there something you're hoping to see in watchOS 5 that didn't make it on our list? Make sure to let us know in the comments.

Article Link: watchOS 5 Wishlist: Features MacRumors Readers Want to See Introduced in the Next Apple Watch Software Update

[doublepost=1527513911][/doublepost]Oh PLEASE make it so the time is ALWAYS shown when looking at the watch!!! Sometimes all you see is a notification - GAH.

 

[kerosene]

Siri to remember queries when offline for later

I almost always wear my watch but not my iphone. It would be great if Siri could just record my inputs, such as ‘add reminder for...’ even when out of reach and process later when connected to the internet again. Feedback regarding accomplishment/fail to cpmprehend could be given then as well, as per user preferences.

 

[Devnul0]

I would like to be able to export workouts to strava, also more exercise options.

Check out the app ‘Rungap’ which can handle all sorts of workout import and export options, including Health. I’ve been very happily using it for quite a while now.

What I really want to see is a better workflow for handing off location services to the Series 2 or 3 with standalone GPS. I leave my phone behind when I go running, and the watch doesn’t try to get a GPS signal (to save battery, not a bad thing) until it loses connectivity with the phone. At work, the wifi “leaks” outside in spots, so I don’t even know how far away I have to be before the watch starts its own location determination. Trying to force it by turning off Bluetooth in the phone’s control panel, no wait, that doesn’t work any more, by forcibly turning Bluetooth off outright, is both a lousy workflow and often doesn’t help anyway. The watch needs a “Get a GPS lock” app that you can start, stand there, and tell me when it has my location so that then I can start my run, instead of losing the first mile or so, which has happened to me over and over and over again.

Additionally, I’d like to see a way on the watch to force it to use the watch’s GPS and not take location services from the phone, again without having to put the phone into airplane mode. When bicycling, the watch is out on my wrist, while the phone is buried in a pack or pannier. The watch has a much clearer signal, I want to use its receiver.

Oh, one other thing - indoor rowing has been an available workout for years now, but when are we going to get outdoor rowing?

 

[steven_lufc]

How about software updates that don't move at a glacial pace?

Next time there’s an update, turn off bluetooth then initiate the update. This forces the phone to send the update to the watch over wifi, waaaaaay quicker than sending over bluetooth. Significantly speeds up the update process...

 

[farewelwilliams]

Gonna have to disagree, you can "know" your rest day, but what that means is you hit your goals 6 days and miss them on one...meaning streaks are broken.

Off wrist notifications is kind of a bad name...I'd call it something more like persistent notifications. What if you are at the gym with only your watch, which you took off to take a shower? Those missed notifications are now out in the ether, waiting for you back at home, but your watch has no idea. The watch now has LTE but it is still crippled by software.

The proximity notifications would be shown on the watch...most people I know with an Apple Watch don't have sound on.

All I really want is more watchface options, especially digital ones. And the photo watch face to allow more customization...let me put more complications on it. Also a square analog face that isn't exclusive to Hermes would be nice. Also improving the notification popups would be great too - I want edge to edge swipe actions (like swipe right to left to archive an email, without having to scroll through the whole thing.) Or if swipes don't work, let us force touch to get actions on a notification.

- if you miss one day, it's no longer a "streak".
- i don't have an LTE watch, but my understanding is that if there's a notification from an app that doesn't live on your watch, it can't arrive on your watch since there are some custom actions you can do with the notification (which requires logic from the app on the phone to do). Apple will need to completely redo notifications framework (yet again, this is probably the third time they've done this to developers).
- you want proximity notifications without sound? that kind of defeats the purpose. unless you mean you want it to vibrate instead, which then would still be annoying because you'll be getting a lot of false positives.
[doublepost=1527531333][/doublepost]

Do not call all these bad ideas...

Definitely need activity app improvements. While I don’t like his/her answer, I have a daily 1000 calorie goal. Some days in a month are difficult to hit that... but usually I go way over that. so it would be cool if you could do a make-up day the next day if you double your move goal (once a month) or something similar. More often than not, I actually miss one stand hour when I forget to put my watch on until half way through the day. That’s a bummer feeling when you put your watch on halfway through the day the first week of the month and know you are screwed at getting a perfect month.

Agree with the off wrist comment.

Proximity notifications would be a life changer. My job requires me to have my phone with me and I’m in and out of a truck. If my watch could remind me I left it hooked up to CarPlay, it would change my life. By not having to constantly run back to the truck. Not to mention the worry about losing the phone. Obviously, you should be able to disable this.

Apple BUYING a sleep tracking company (in theory to include with AW) proves that sleep tracking is a good idea...

Ridiculous comment about always on display... “current and past watches don’t have this. Future watches will?” Still means it will be in watch OS5... perhaps not in previous series, but it’s still a software feature that folks would like to have integrated in new versions. Features don’t always get included in older devices. New iOS’s don’t all go back to the original iPhone... but people still want to have new features.

I didn't say they're bad. They're just not great enough for a MacRumors writeup.

Apple already bought Beddit: https://www.macrumors.com/2017/05/09/apple-acquires-sleep-monitor-beddit/ which I mentioned it's super obvious that some sort of sleep tracking is coming from Apple.

Knowing that Apple wants to push LTE to be "disconnected from the phone" and the fact that a lot of users will probably see false alarms in proximity notifications, i don't see this happening. Unless they apply some logic to it so that "it just works".

it's not a ridiculous comment about the always on display. it's not a software thing thing that Apple needs to figure out. it's a hardware thing. you definitely won't see a new "Always On" feature when Apple introduces OS5, but when Apple introduces a new AW? It's more likely then.

 

[JeanDeFer]

I would like to see "elevation climb" in the workout apps for cycling and running (not for swimming obviously ) and not only on the iPhone.

I would like to see actual pace AND average pace, to control my runs more accurately (make up for a slower section with a faster section and see my average going up).

 

[Gameboy70]

So silly. And it absolutely is like the chopsticks, wanting something merely because the old fashioned watches did it. They had no choice lol.

Raise to Wake is the chopsticks kluge in that analogy. Anyone accustomed to simply glancing at always-on watch—even digital ones, including Samsung smartwatches—knows how lame RTW is by comparison.

 

[Lloydbm41]

Raise to Wake is the chopsticks kluge in that analogy. Anyone accustomed to simply glancing at always-on watch—even digital ones, including Samsung smartwatches—knows how lame RTW is by comparison.

Fact!!!! It's so friggin annoying 'hoping' my AW3's screen turns on when I raise my wrist. Especially annoying when laying down!

 

[reservoirdog]

I want to be able to use it as a dive computer.​

 

[themick4u]

Bring back better control of on-phone stored music playlists (ability to shuffle playlists, etc)

 

[psac]

Next time there’s an update, turn off bluetooth then initiate the update. This forces the phone to send the update to the watch over wifi, waaaaaay quicker than sending over bluetooth. Significantly speeds up the update process...

Do you shut it off on the phone or the watch? Or both?

 

[honglong1976]

The ability to connect to a wifi network that uses a certificate. The Apple watch only seems to connect to WIFIs with a password only.
[doublepost=1527603214][/doublepost]Update over WIFI without the iPhone.

- Update notification displayed on watch
- downloads update via WIFI to the 8GB or 16GB of storage
- Once verified, a message to connect to the charger is displayed and press continue to update

As it is the moment, it's awful! Takes forever!
[doublepost=1527603290][/doublepost]

I would like to see "elevation climb" in the workout apps for cycling and running (not for swimming obviously ) and not only on the iPhone.

I would like to see actual pace AND average pace, to control my runs more accurately (make up for a slower section with a faster section and see my average going up).

I would like a graph showing elevation to be shown in the workout app.
[doublepost=1527603470][/doublepost]show floors on the watch face

 

[iPhD]

An option in the Workout tracker to set a threshold based on either time or inactivity so that the workout is paused or ended and saved.

I walk to work and I record the walk as a workout (thank you, 300-foot elevation change) and forget to end the workout because I'm distracted by work the moment I step on campus. Since it's a walk and I'm now standing at my desk and not moving, I'd like the watch to realize this and either pause the workout or prompt me to end the workout.

 

[happydude]

podcast app needs to happen now. we can already load podcasts on by converting them to an AAC file, dropping that into a playlist and syncing it. it just takes a while and a lot of forethought (if you want one ready for a run, for example). there's some pretty unreliable 3rd party apps...so common apple, make this happen!

 

[nburwell]

I'd like to see a golf activity tracker.

Absolutely this! I was originally surprised to see there is no native golf activity tracker at all.

 

[parasight]

I'd like to see GPS tracking added to the "Skating" preset in the Workout app, or a new dedicated preset for longboarding.

 

[redscull]

The second to last update broke WiFi for a lot of people. The solution is to forget and reconnect to WiFi routers from the paired iPhone. Then the watch can find them again.

Ah. Well if the wish list includes already-released features that just don't work [well], my entire wish list would be already-released features. Same for iOS. I'd much rather the existing stuff actually worked properly and consistently vs anything new.

 

[DanBig]

Next time there’s an update, turn off bluetooth then initiate the update. This forces the phone to send the update to the watch over wifi, waaaaaay quicker than sending over bluetooth. Significantly speeds up the update process...

I would have thought Apple would have programed that into the updater: Use WiFi first then use Bluetooth if WiFi failed.
[doublepost=1527621766][/doublepost]

I want to be able to use it as a dive computer.​

I doubt that will ever happen

It would be useless as the touch display would not work and I could see you telling via Siri what to do with your mouthpiece in your mouth

 

[narso310]

Some notification sounds other than "Ding!"

 

[Keirasplace]

I would have thought Apple would have programed that into the updater: Use WiFi first then use Bluetooth if WiFi failed.
[doublepost=1527621766][/doublepost]

I doubt that will ever happen

It would be useless as the touch display would not work and I could see you telling via Siri what to do with your mouthpiece in your mouth

The crown would work though, so a selection of sort could happen.