Apple Watch Series 3 image: Apple

At WWDC, where Apple previewed iOS 13 and its features, unveiled a new Mac Pro and Pro Display XDR, and unveiled a new OS specially made for iPads among other things, the company previewed watchOS 6, the sixth iteration of the operating system that powers Apple Watches.

The new OS comes with new attributes such as a new menstrual cycle tracking feature, a real-time sound level measuring app, a new tab on a paired iPhone that provides users with a longer-term view of their activities, and direct App Store access on the Apple Watch.

Let’s touch on the listed features below:

A new menstrual cycle tracking feature:

Cycle Tracking image: Apple

watchOS 6 comes with a new “Cycle Tracking” feature that lets women put in information related to their menstrual cycles and get predicted timing for their next period or fertile window. On the Apple Watch, there’ll be a daily log function that allows quick addition of information related to menstrual cycles like current period, symptoms, flow, results from ovulation prediction kits and other aspects of fertility tracking.

Cycle Tracking will be made available as a feature within the Health app.

Measurement of noise levels:

Noise app image: Apple

watchOS 6 comes with a new Noise app that’ll help users measure and also understand the sound levels in scenarios like concerts and sporting events where loud noise is expected. The app features a real-time decibel meter that users can check sound levels on. Once the noise level reaches 90 decibels, the Apple Watch can then send a notification to the user.

That’s because according to the World Health Organization, four hours per week of exposure to sound levels of up to 90 decibels can take an effect on hearing.

A new Trends tab:

Trends image: Apple

watchOS 6 comes with a new “Trends” tab that’s accessible on a paired iPhone and delivers a long-term view of users’ activity behaviour. This is to help them comprehend their progress.

At a glance, the new tab indicates whether the trends are up or down for metrics like exercise minutes, walking pace, active calories, and more. If the last 90 days of activity for a user indicates a downward trend relative to the last 365 days, the Activity app helps offers coaching to get the user back on form.

Direct App Store access:

App Store on the Apple Watch image: Apple

For the first time, the Apple Watch now has direct access to the App Store on watchOS 6. Apple Watch users can now search for apps via Siri, dictation or Scribble, install third-party apps and view app product pages tuned to the Apple Watch screen right from their wrist.

App developers also now have the option to create Apple Watch-only apps, that’ll work independently on the Apple Watch without an accompanying iOS app.

Other new features bundled in watchOS 6 include:

• A new Calculator app.
• Audiobooks listening.
• New watch faces and customization options.
• The popular Voice Memos app.
• Siri search queries can now display full webpage results.
• New developer tools such as an audio API to stream music, radio and podcasts and an API to give longer runtime to session-based tasks like meditation and physical therapy.

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