The iOS 13 and iPad OS 13.1 aren’t just the newest Apple released last month but also is the new WatchOS 6 with the Apple Watch 5 which is now more premium than ever. The new WatchOS 6 now has features such as the Voice Memos application, a new weather complications and even a double-tapping on the watch screen which prompts the watch to speak the time.

A reported earlier on before the actual release, the Apple Watch Series 5 comes with the latest WatchOS 6 preinstalled on it so if you’re considering one, then don’t bother about the manually upgrading the Operating system because everything is out of the box. Meanwhile, you’ll either need to install the iOS 13 on your older iPhone (iPhone XS and downwards) or simply get the new iPhone 11 Pro to enjoy the full functionality of the new Watch Series 5.

But if you must know what is new about the Watch Series 5 because of the WatchOS 6, below is all we know about the upgrade and additional feature that makes the WatchOS 6 really interesting but first, you must upgrade either your Apple Watch Series 4 to the latest Watch OS version.

How to update to WatchOS 6

From the Apple Watch Series 3 to Series 4 and 5, the new WatchOS 6 can work seamlessly with either of these devices. Meanwhile to upgrade your older Apple watch series 3 and 4, you first need to get your iPhone updated to the latest iOS 13 afterwards, you can then open the Watch app on your iPhone and then head to General > Software Update where you’ll be able to upgrade the OS to the latest version.

One important thing to note is that the process is long and would require you connect to a strong wireless network as well as get the device charged or even connected to a power source.

Install the update by following the prompts, which can take anywhere from 15 minutes to over an hour depending on your connection.  The update will be available for Series 1 and Series 2 users later this year. 

Going forward, you can download and install updates directly on your watch by opening the Settings app and going to General > Software update. 

What Apple Watch can run Watch OS 6?

All the Apple Watch series from Series 1 to the latest Series 5 (Which has the WatchOS 6 preinstalled) The Apple Watch Series 3 and 4 are getting the update now while the Series 1 and 2 will get the update later on this year.

Get rid of cluttering apps

After the update is completed, the next thing you want to do is decluttering your app screen by getting rid of those things you do not want any longer. Let’s assume you want any Apple’s own application out of your new WatchOS 6 fafce, then just long-press any of those apps until they begin to wobble and then click on the tiny “X” which would show at the top of the app icon. If you need to reinstall an Apple app, use the App Store app on your Apple Watch (more on this in a minute). 

Now speaking about the new features and applications that makes the new WatchOS 6 more interesting, below are the top 7 features and how to get through to them.

1. Cycle Tracking

This feature is targeted at women mostly as it enables them to track their health especially their cycle. Even though there are third-party applications that fits well into this feature, Apple had suddenly decided to develop the software and we’re glad to have it already.

Parts of it’s functions is that it sends you alerts and also reminders to log in your symptoms which you can use during an hospital visit for whatever reason. It’s just a tracker and monitor but you can get rid of it if you’re already fine with whatever app you’re currently using.

2. Hearing loss prevention

Another new feature of the WatchOS 6 is the new Noise app which monitors the decibel level of all surrounding noises around and then alerts you if the environment you’re in has a noise level of about 80 decibels which is threshold at which hearing damage can start.

This is an application though and it comes with the amount of time by which you can be exposed to those aggressive decibels per day in order t prevent hearing damage. You can set custom alerts or just disable the app entirely if you’re not interested in using it.

3. The Watch App Store

Yeah! There is now an App store on the WatchOS 6 which can be downloaded directly onto the smartwatch which means you no longer need your iPhone for this any longer meanwhile you’ll still need to install the app first on your iPhone before installing it on your Watch.

From the App Store on the Smartwatch, you can view Apple’s app suggestions and even search through a list of apps and updates so your dependency on the iPhone to update apps on the Watch would be limited. It’s like Apple is making the WatchOS 6 as independent as possible.

4. Siri, can now Shazam?

Yes, Shazam the music identifying application. And now, it’s well built into the Apple Watch which means you can communicate with it using Siri which wouldn’t take more than few seconds to give you response about which artist and song you’re listening to.

To access this feature, you can either press the Digital Crown and then raise your wrist close enough to your mouth and then speak to Siri or just use the usual “Hey Siri” keyword and ask it “What song is this?” and then Siri can identify the song which you can add to your Apple Music library….How sweet! Apple’s UX Engineers must have been working overtime these days.

5. There’s now a calculator!

LOL! At least you wouldn’t need to be staring at your smartphone all the time to do simple calculation and yeah, Apple wants the new Watch Series running on the WatchOS 6 to be as independent as possible which is probably the reason for the inclusion of so many independent functionalities.

The new calculator enables you perform simple or standard calculation tasks such as subtract, add and multiply and so forth. You can do all of the standard calculations you’d expect from a calculator, and there’s even a Tip button to help you figure out how much to leave a waiter or waitress.