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WatchOS 10.1 unlocks the best new Apple Watch feature in years
In This Article
It’s ‘point one’ day for Apple fans and whileiOS 17.1has brought some awesome new iPhone features, WatchOS 10.1 is arguably a bigger update for Apple Watch users.
The update, which can be downloaded from today, includesDouble Tap– the new gesture-based feature which can carry out a range of tasks just by tapping the thumb and forefinger together.
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Revealed at Apple’s September launch event alongside theApple Watch 9andApple Watch Ultra 2, the feature is ideal for use when the non-wearing hand cannot be used on the touchscreen. So, for example, when you’re out walking the dog.
The feature can be used to snooze or turn off an alarm in the morning, view a message from a notification, take a photo on the iPhone when the camera remote is enabled, control timers and stopwatches, pause or unpause audio (the demo last month also suggested this could be done for an Apple TV show), or pick-up or hang-up a phone call. It’ll also open theSmart Stackfrom any watch face.
The Double Tap gesture will switch to the new elevation view within the Compass app, start or stop automatic workout reminders and perform the primary action from all notifications. Users can also customise the gesture in various ways. So, for example, you can configure it to skip to the next track rather than pause the music playback.
The feature is specific to the new, 2023 Apple Watch models so those with older devices miss out this time. That’s because the feature is enabled by the new S9 SiP processor, within the Series 9 and Ultra 2
“This new double tap gesture is enabled by the faster Neural Engine in Apple Watch Series 9, which processes data from the accelerometer, gyroscope, and optical heart sensor with a new machine learning algorithm,” Apple explained in apress release.
“The algorithm detects the unique signature of tiny wrist movements and changes in blood flow when the index finger and thumb perform a double tap.”
Elsewhere in WatchOS 10.1 is theNameDropfeature, which enables users to exchange contact details over AirDrop. There are also some bug fixes too. The update can be dowloaded by opening the Apple Watch app on a companion iPhone and heading to General > Software Update.
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Chris Smith is a freelance technology journalist for a host of UK tech publications, including Trusted Reviews. He’s based in South Florida, USA. …
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Founded in 2003, Trusted Reviews exists to give our readers thorough, unbiased and independent advice on what to buy.
Today, we have millions of users a month from around the world, and assess more than 1,000 products a year.
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
