Apple reportedly plans to introduce widgets for the Apple Watch as part of the anticipated watchOS 10 update, according to Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman in his latest Power On newsletter.
Gurman believes watchOS 10 will introduce widgets akin to the old Glances system and the ones introduced in iOS 14. Apple believes that its new strategy will make it faster for users to access quick information rather than relying on somewhat cumbersome apps. Gurman adds that widgets will be a “central part” of watchOS 10.
Gurman further states that the updated interface will resemble the Siri watch face. Widgets will be viewable as an “overlay” for any watch face akin to widget stacks on iPhone and iPad, which allow users to stack multiple widgets atop one another.
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The new interface will be reminiscent of the Siri watch face introduced in watchOS 4, but it will be available as an overlay for any watch face. It’s also similar to widget stacks, a feature in iOS and iPadOS that lets users pile many widgets into one and scroll through them.
Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman
Apple is also testing changes to button functionality on the Apple Watch. According to Gurman, the company is testing the option to allow a Digitial Crown press to launch widgets. Currently, a press on the Digital Crown takes users back to the Home Screen. Apple may initially opt to make the new changes optional to ease users into the new interface and button functionality, adds Gurman.
As part of the overhaul, Apple is testing the idea of changing the functions of some of the watch’s buttons. Currently, a press of the Digital Crown launches the home screen. For the next version of watchOS, Apple may have that open up widgets instead.
Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman
The major software changes are largely said to make up for minor Apple Watch hardware updates slated for this year. Gurman expects the 2023 Apple Watch lineup to be “fairly similar” to last year’s.
