You'll Soon Be Able to Control an Apple Watch Using Hand Gestures

[MacRumors]

Apple today previewed a long list of new accessibility features coming soon, including AssistiveTouch for the Apple Watch, which will allow users to control an Apple Watch without ever having to touch the display or controls.

Aided by on-device machine learning, the Apple Watch's gyroscope, accelerometer, and heart rate sensor will be able to detect subtle differences in muscle movement and tendon activity, and these movements will allow users to navigate a cursor on the Apple Watch's display through a series of hand gestures, like a pinch or a clench.

AssistiveTouch on the Apple Watch will enable customers who have limb differences to more easily answer incoming calls, control an on-screen motion pointer, access Notification Center and Control Center, and more.

Apple says AssistiveTouch for the Apple Watch will be available with a software update. The feature will likely be part of watchOS 8, which is expected to be unveiled alongside iOS 15, macOS 12, and tvOS 15 at WWDC 2021 next month.

Article Link: You'll Soon Be Able to Control an Apple Watch Using Hand Gestures

 

[alexandr]

getting more and more useful. freakin' apple!

 

[macsplusmacs]

YEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!! 🚀

 

[jezbd1997]

Okay this is definitely one of the coolest things I've ever seen

 

[SuprUsrStan]

Dude, you're telling I don't have to jab at the little screen finger, blocking my view of the screen at the same time?

If these gestures get precise, this is the future!

 

[jz0309]

very cool ... I was expecting this to be a AW7 feature, but SW update is very interesting

 

[macsplusmacs]

very cool ... I was expecting this to be a AW7 feature, but SW update is very interesting

Wonder if the AW7 will have even more gestures? due to possible new sensors or sensitivity?

 

[G5isAlive]

science fiction come real!

 

[filmantopia]

science fiction come real!

Pretty sure even Sci-fi didn’t see this one coming.

 

[axantas]

I am really impressed! This is not just assitive touch, but a huge improvement for everyone who just "wants" it. I never would have expected it that way. Plus the fact, that is is a huge improvement for assistive touch for those, who need it.

...quite a long time ago I was that impressed.
Need to watch that video again. It is not a joke, yes?

 

[ArPe]

Good thing I wear watch on left wrist and pee with right hand. Don’t want to accidentally answer calls like that when I am busy.

 

[Mrjetsondc]

The Watch is my favorite Apple device right now. I’ve been using since 2018 and I’m probably hooked for a while. It’s really a mini-iPhone and now with this magic touch less feature, Holy moly, I’m excited.

 

[macduke]

This is great news. I have a friend who is missing everything past his elbow on one side. He's quite capable, able to go rock climbing, mountain biking, etc. But something like an Apple Watch can be difficult to control. I'm sure he will be excited about this! I love Apple's stance on accessibility and using technology to improve people's lives. It puts most other companies to shame.

Here is Tim Cook's response to a shareholder saying they should focus only on the ROI and not other things like accessibility or the environment:

"When we work on making our devices accessible by the blind, I don't consider the bloody ROI. If you want me to do things only for ROI reasons, you should get out of this stock."

―Tim Cook

I gained a lot of respect for Mr. Tim Apple that day.

 

[ck2875]

I feel like this control technology is going to make its way into the AR glasses (i.e. navigating the AR display with wrist gestures on a paired watch). Not that accessibility isn't nice and all, but that is the most obvious reason I can see Apple developing these gestures in the first place.

 

[kaycrystal626]

Looks cool!

 

[kiensoy]

I really hope I can shake or clench or whatever to jump from one notification to the next. There’s nothing more frustrating than getting incoming notifications while holding something with my other hand and not being able to see what it is.

 

[RogueWarrior65]

Wake me when I can wave my hand and say "these aren't the droids you're looking for" and the moron I'm talking to will shut up.

 

[locovaca]

Similar ideas to the first version of Android Wear. I remember navigating through tiles by flicking my wrist. Looking forward to it!

 

[RogueWarrior65]

I also want to be able to communicate with aliens a la Close Encounters of the Third Kind.

 

[Henk Poley]

Ah this makes a lot of sense. The AW6 has a near field radar on board. Shouldn't it be able to see your hand shape?

 

[magicschoolbus]

wow that's awesome.

 

[artfossil]

This is so exciting. Not just for Apple Watch but for the future of enhanced assistive control of all our devices.

(The Apple Watch is still my favorite piece of Apple tech. And I started with an Apple IIc. The Watch has made a positive difference in so many areas of my life.)

 

[jz0309]

Wonder if the AW7 will have even more gestures? due to possible new sensors or sensitivity?

hopefully ... could be ... though my main criteria will be new health features, and if my S4 is still going as strong as it is now ...

 

[FrizzleFryBen]

This is an incredible enhancement! I was literally JUST playing with "Pointer Control" in Accessibility settings on my MBA for the first time. I was only using it to control a powerpoint, but what amazing accessibility functionality that Apple (fairly quietly) offers. I don't have any physical limitations that would be assisted with these advancements, but I think it's wonderful and impressive that Apple pays attention and actively adds these features.

 

[macsplusmacs]

hopefully ... could be ... though my main criteria will be new health features, and if my S4 is still going as strong as it is now ...

I have a series 4 too! always on screen almost got me to update but not enough.

AW7 is a must upgrade for me though.