Considering that a large majority of people purchase Apple Watches for its stellar fitness functions and tracking metrics, it is no surprise that Apple would upgrade its workout features with WatchOS 8.

WatchOS 8 comes with two new popular workout types, Tai Chi and Pilates, that are supported by powerful, validated, custom-built heart rate and motion algorithms to provide users with much more accurate calorie metrics.

The update also uses advanced algorithms to analyse GPS, heart rate, accelerometer, and gyroscope data to detect when users begin to cycle.

Apple Watch’s new update also helps users meet their sleep goals better while also gaining deeper insights into their overall sleep by tracking their sleeping respiratory rate which is the number of breaths a person takes per minute.

Overall, Apple Watch is simply working harder so you don’t have to.

The fall detection feature on the Apple Watch is certainly helpful and with WatchOS 8, it has been updated and optimised to be able to detect falls during workouts and while cycling. 

It can now recognise unique motion as well as the impact of certain falls to ensure a user’s complete safety.

With a new Focus mode that helps you reduce distractions by filtering notifications from people and apps based on what you are doing to a redesigned mindfulness app, Apple is certainly putting mental wellness first with its new update. 

With WatchOS 8, the Breathe app is now the all-new Mindfulness app and it features a new session type called Reflect and guided Meditations for Fitness+ subscribers.

From September 27, new guided meditations will be added every Monday into the Mindfulness app just for Fitness+ subscribers. The audio version will be available on the watch while an immersive video experience will be uploaded on the iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV. 

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Your Apple Wallet just got handier and safer with WatchOS. With ultra wideband support, you can now put your digital car keys in your Wallet and use them to unlock your car from a distance and start it from the driver’s seat. 

You can also now add home and hotel keys as well as corporate badges to your Wallet app. All you need to do is tap your Apple Watch to unlock anything you wish.

One of the best parts of the Apple Watch is how convenient it is to shoot off a quick text to someone when you are on the go. With WatchOS 8, communication has been so made much easier with the inclusion of new tools. Users now can combine the use of Scribble, dictation, and emoji all within the same message. 

If you prefer to dictate your messages, you will now have the option to edit the text presented to you by your watch.

WatchOS 8 also allows users to use GIFs with its library of hundreds of trending GIFs.

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