Apple has announced that its upcoming watchOS 11 update for recent Apple Watch models will introduce significant new features aimed at enhancing user experience. These updates were unveiled during the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2024 held on Monday.
Additionally, a user has discovered a feature not initially showcased at WWDC that will debut on the Apple Watch with this upcoming update later this year. Furthermore, Apple has confirmed that the Smart Stack app will receive a dedicated Shazam widget, enabling users to swiftly identify currently playing songs.
New Features on Apple Watch
Max Weinbach, through a post on X (formerly Twitter), revealed that automatic sleep tracking will be included in the watchOS 11 update for the Apple Watch. Currently, the Apple smartwatch requires activating Sleep Focus mode for sleep monitoring. However, watchOS 11 will enable automatic tracking of the user’s sleep cycle regardless of the device mode, as stated by Weinbach.
Users will be able to track their sleep cycles using the Apple Watch and set schedules to achieve their sleep goals. Moreover, the update promises to provide estimates of time spent in various sleep stages, including REM sleep, core sleep, and deep sleep.
Apple is also set to introduce a new Shazam widget within Smart Stack—a collection of widgets accessible based on time, location, and activity, directly from any watch face. While Shazam was previously available on the App Store and accessible via Siri, its integration into Smart Stack with watchOS 11 aims to enhance the speed at which users can identify music currently playing.
In addition to Shazam, Apple plans to introduce several other widgets to Smart Stack, such as Translate, Distance, Photos, severe weather alerts, and Live Activities.
watchOS 11 Compatibility
Apple has confirmed that watchOS 11 will be compatible with Apple Watch Series 6 and later models, paired with iPhone XR or later models running iOS 18. The watchOS 11 developer beta has already been released and is accessible through the Apple Developer Program.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.
