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watchOS 9 Expands VoIP Calling on Apple Watch Beyond FaceTime Audio

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Apple this week announced that watchOS 9 will allow users to make VoIP calls directly from an Apple Watch via supported third-party apps.

apple-watch-voip-calling-watchos-9.jpg

During its WWDC 2022 keynote, Apple said that users will be able to start, end, or mute VoIP calls from the Apple Watch in supported apps like Webex. This feature will allow Apple Watch users to answer VoIP calls right from their wrist, and it is made possible by Apple expanding its CallKit framework for developers to watchOS 9.

Apple has not shared any additional details about this feature at this time, and it remains to be seen if some of the most popular apps with VoIP calling like WhatsApp offer this functionality on the Apple Watch over the coming months.

It is already possible to make calls over Wi-Fi on the Apple Watch via FaceTime Audio in the Phone app, and expanded support for VoIP calling in watchOS 9 will give Apple Watch users more options going forward. watchOS 9 is currently available in beta for developers and will be released to all users in the fall — likely in September.

Article Link: watchOS 9 Expands VoIP Calling on Apple Watch Beyond FaceTime Audio
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2022/06/07/apple-watch-voip-calling-watchos-9/
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Reactions: mainemini
Would love to see the ability to set up an Apple Watch without an iPhone at all. Or perhaps the ability to add Apple Pay cards to kids watches. Or for the launch of Apple Cash in Canada…
 
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Finally. It is so annoying that when you receive a WhatsApp call the watch doesn’t even show notifications.
 
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Recently bought an apple watch se cellular and to my surprise discovered it doesn’t support sending/receiving regular text messages when the paired iphone is off which is weird because receiving/making calls works and it wouldn’t be difficult to implement. Was hoping it would be fixed in watchOS 9 but apparently not.
 
syklee26 said:
Do people actually make calls with watch?
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No.

It’s primarily a secondary method.
Generally, I find that there’s way too much ambient noise to clearly and audibly hear the other person. Sometimes there’s an echo that causes interference.

The only time I would use the Watch for a ‘call’, would probably be for like a 911 scenario or if I was in a really quiet setting where I could clearly hear the other user of my iPhone wasn’t near me.
 
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syklee26 said:
Do people actually make calls with watch? That looks…too geeky…
Click to expand...
Rarely but I need to be available for calls for work and use the watch if I'm in a boat or kayak and don't want to risk taking the phone out. Looking forward to doing this with our VOIP service now too.
 
syklee26 said:
Do people actually make calls with watch? That looks…too geeky…
Click to expand...
I've made calls on my cellular Watch 7 when I've left my phone in the car. More often I've answered them when the phone is somewhere else in the house, perhaps charging.
 
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jav6454 said:
Why weren't feature like these given more screen time during the keynote?
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Well, this feature sounds like something that would be better covered in multiple sessions during the week. In order for developers to implement this in their applications is probably not trivial and a deeper dive in a focus session is probably better for this.
 
Pairs to AirPods; I used to use mine when I wanted to go out for dinner without a phone to distract whilst not being completely disconnected from notifications.

Works as well as making a call with AirPods on an iPhone (ie it’s barely audible on the other end).
 
joecomo said:
Would be more useful with roaming
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I'm so sick of hearing that different LTE bands aren't supported while roaming. Apple knows this is a farce with the continents, think Europe and North America, where neighboring countries share the same bands.
 
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syklee26 said:
Do people actually make calls with watch? That looks…too geeky…
Click to expand...
Not as a first option but if my phone is not handy I will take the call on my watch to at least let the person know I will call them back. When my hands are too dirty to reach for the phone, I will use my nose to answer the call on the watch. Nerdy but handy. I would take calls on the watch with AirPods when I was out for a run/walk and left my phone at home purposely to stay light but got tired of paying for service so that is not a factor any longer. So, not ideal but does happen occasionally.
 
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Captain Trips said:
Well, this feature sounds like something that would be better covered in multiple sessions during the week. In order for developers to implement this in their applications is probably not trivial and a deeper dive in a focus session is probably better for this.
Click to expand...
This feature carries an incredible value as it further enhances the cellular aspect of each Apple Watch. Having the ability to initiate VoIP calls would truly help have the watch as a standalone device.
 
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I just wish Zoom would add support for Apple Watch.

Webex has an amazing Watch app that is basically a big mute/unmute button. I'd just wear my AirPods and walk around, could get up and get coffee or whatever, and tap the button on my wrist to unmute as necessary.

Now we use Zoom most of the time, and they don't support Apple Watch at all.
 
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