DHAKA: Apple has unveiled watchOS 2, the first major software update for Apple Watch.
The WatchKit for watchOS is available for developers looking to use the hardware features of the Apple Watch, including the Digital Crown, Taptic Engine and heart rate sensor, along with software APIs to build new app experiences.
With the ClockKit framework, developers can represent their data as complications on the watch face. The new tools will allow developers to make apps more robust.
Available to Apple Watch users this fall, watchOS 2 also includes new watch faces, third-party app information as watch face complications and new communication capabilities in Mail, Friends and Digital Touch.
WatchOS 2 also includes new features for photos and photo albums. With the Time-Lapse watch face, users can choose from a selection of time-lapse videos shot over 24 hours in iconic locations including New York City, London or Shanghai.
A new Time Travel feature lets users scroll with the Digital Crown to explore events in the future (and past) including upcoming meetings or activities, the temperature for the week, and information from third-party apps, such as upcoming flight information.
The software also updates communications. With Mail, users can respond quickly using dictation, Smart Replies or emoji. They can create multiple Friends screens, each of which can hold up to twelve friends, and new friends can be added directly on Apple Watch.
The update also allows for the Digital Touch draw and colour sketches feature.
The watchOS 2 sports Nightstand Mode, Apple Pay features, support for Transit in Maps, workouts from third-party fitness apps, Siri, Glances and Activation Lock.
The watchOS 2 will be available this fall as a free update to Apple Watch. Apple Watch requires iPhone 5, iPhone 5c, iPhone 5s, iPhone 6 or iPhone 6 Plus running iOS 8.2 or later.
The iOS 9 SDK beta including WatchKit for watchOS 2 is available immediately for iOS Developer Program members at developer.apple.com/watchkit.
Features are subject to change. Some features may not be available in all regions or all languages.
BDST: 1655 HRS, JUN 09, 2015
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