Apple Announces: New Health and Fitness Features in iOS 13 and WatchOS 6
Apple Announces iOS 13 and WatchOS 6
Today, June 3, 2019 at the annual Worldwide Developers Conference, Apple announced the newest versions of iOS and WatchOS which will be officially released in September when Apple announces new models of the iPhone and Apple Watch.
Apple continues to demonstrate its commitment to health and fitness by announcing some major new features, as well as enhancements to the existing health and fitness features in both the iPhone and the Apple Watch. These new features and enhancements strengthen Apple’s position as the leader in the field of health and fitness for mobile and wearable devices.
As Apple’s VP of Health Dr. Sumbul Desai said, “The Apple Watch is an amazing health and fitness partner”. She goes on to say, “Being physically active is one of the most important things that you can do for your health. If there was a prescription, it would actually be one of the most prescribed medicines in the world”.
iOS 13
Health App
The Health app has been redesigned to make it more personal and meaningful to you. In the new Summary View, you’ll see new health related notifications in addition to your favorites. You’ll also see automatically generated Highlights. The Health app uses Machine Learning on your iPhone to determine which Highlights will be most interesting to you. This will bring you a more powerful perspective on your health.
Cycle Tracking App
The new Cycle Tracking app on your iPhone is used to track your menstrual cycles. It helps you know more about your cycle and helps you understand what’s normal for you. The Cycle Tracking app can even predict when your period is coming. Data from Cycle Tracking app can be viewed in the Health app on the iPhone.
Noise App
Data from the Noise app on the Apple Watch will be shown in the Health app on the iPhone. When notifications of high noise level are generated on the Apple Watch, they will be displayed in the Health app’s notification section.
Activity App
One of the most important things about your daily activity is long term trends. In iOS 13, Apple is introducing Activity Trends. For nine key activity metrics, it will compare your progress over the last 90 days to the last 365 days. If the trends show that you’re maintaining or improving, you’ll see an arrow going up. If you’re trending downwards, it will give you simple coaching to get you back on track.
You’ll see familiar metrics, like Move, Exercise and Stand, but you also see new metrics, like Workout Walking Pace, Flights of Stairs Climbed and your Cardio Fitness Level. It will provide you a more complete picture of what you can do to stay active and give you more motivation for long term success.
WatchOS 6
Cycle Tracking App
The new Cycle Tracking app on the Apple Watch is used to track your menstrual cycles. It helps you know more about your cycle and helps you understand what’s normal for you. You can visualize your cycle on Apple Watch. The Cycle Tracking app can even predict when your period is coming.
Noise App
Hearing health is very important to you. Protecting your hearing is critical, as hearing loss is often gradual. The Noise app on the Apple Watch, uses the microphone to detect background noise levels and notify you if it’s too loud.
Besides the Noise app, there’s a Noise complication, so you can be monitoring the background noise all the time. You’ll get notified if the noise is too loud. What’s more, it’s secure, and doesn’t record or store any audio information.
App Store
Until now, Apple Watch apps had to be downloaded from the App Store to the iPhone, and then transferred from the iPhone to the Apple Watch. Developers can now create Apple Watch apps that don’t require an iPhone app. The new App Store app on the Apple Watch will allow you to download apps directly from the App Store to the Apple Watch.
What’s the Bottom Line?
As was expected, Apple continues to innovate in health and fitness and is committed to remaining a major player in this sector. Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO stands by what he said a few months ago, when he told TIME in December, 2018 that “Apple’s largest contribution to mankind will be in improving people’s health and well-being”.
