WatchOS 5 Adds 'Walkie-Talkie' Mode, Podcasts App

Apple today showed off new features coming to watchOS v this fall, including a "walkie talkie" mode, the podcasts app, and quick access to Siri.

Walkie-Talkie volition piece of work over cellular and Wi-Fi networks for "lookout man-to-watch" communication, Apple said at its Worldwide Developers Conference on Monday. When first activated, Walkie-Talkie volition suggest friends you tin transport an invite to connect with. Once the invitation is accustomed, you can start chatting.

WatchOS v will also exist smarter. It will automatically detect when you lot've started in a conditioning, and ask y'all whether to outset or stop logging your activity. Not sure how many steps or miles you already ran? Well, watchOS 5 can fifty-fifty estimate how much "retroactive credit" you deserve for whatever practise yous forgot to log.

WWDC Watch OS5-Podcast

Apple tree Watch owners will as well be able to activate the visitor's voice banana, Siri, without having to say "Hey Siri." WatchOS 5 volition notice that you're trying to activate Siri when you heighten your wrist and beginning listening for your query.

On the practice front, watchOS 5 introduces 2 new conditioning types, Yoga and Hiking. It'll also come with a new "Activity Sharing" feature that will let you lot compete with other Apple Watch owners on certain exercises. The competitions last for a week, and will log your practise stats to see who performed the virtually activities. The winner will receive a virtual medal.

Finally, watchOS 5 is getting Apple'due south Podcasts app, which will sync podcast listening across iOS devices.

WatchOS 5 will arrive this autumn as a costless update. Unfortunately, it will not be available on the original Apple tree Watch, and then those with the original smartwatch might want to consider an upgrade.