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Apple WWDC (What We're Definitely Craving): 7 Wishes For watchOS 5

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Apple is still holding its cards close to its chest ahead of Monday’s keynote that opens the World Wide Developers’ Conference in San Jose. WWDC is Apple’s best chance for keeping stuff under wraps because there’s no supply chain involved in the software that will make up most of the announcements.

Apple

I’ve written before about what I think will be revealed for iPhone, iPad, Mac and HomePod, from the copper-bottom certainty of a strong emphasis on Augmented Reality (just look at the 3D versions of buttons, logos and speech bubbles in the WWDC invite) to the likelihood of a new HomePod or iPhone (zero).

But it’s the wearables aspect of WWDC that intrigues me the most. Here’s my wishlist for what I hope Apple will announce on Monday.

David Phelan

Sleep tracking

Apple bought Finnish sleep-tracking company Beddit just over a year ago and I’ve been waiting for the fruits of the purchase to seep through into Apple’s products and features. Of course, you do need to charge your Watch some time, so it won’t suit everybody to keep it on at night, but, hey, it charges quickly.

And the benefits would be considerable, thanks to the efficiency of wearing a heart rate monitor on your wrist as you slumber.

Apple

Extra Fitness flexibilities

I love closing the three exercise rings each day but just sometimes, I’d like a day off. Being able to choose a rest day once a week would be a great way of taking it easy without feeling guilty. And would mean you could keep a streak going on a six-day-a-week basis.

Or, if your week’s calorie, step and workout counts were good overall but one or two days were a little under par, being able to spread the credit across the week would make you feel better for the days you really went for it.

Similarly, the Workout app is now very versatile but more detail would be welcome, with maps of runs, detailed analysis of workouts, and so on.

David Phelan

Automatic Workout Recognition

I cycle a lot and I can’t tell you how many times I forget to start a cycling workout until I’m halfway down the road, where tapping the display to invoke a workout is dangerous. So being able to say, ‘Hey, Siri, start an outdoor cycle’ was a blessing.

But how about if the Watch could just recognize when I’m starting a workout without my having to mention it? That would be cool.

Apple

Glucose monitoring

To make this happen you’ll need a new kind of hardware built in, something that’s nowhere near reality yet. But, the prospect this kind of tracking raises is exciting for all kinds of users.

Apple

Health analysis

One of the great successes of the Jawbone Up was that its analysis of your exercise and sleep patterns was second to none. It was well-written and smartly focused so that I looked out for the latest tips, which often offered a new way of thinking about my health as well as new insights.

Apple

More Breathe

Breathe, the mini-meditation app which encourages you to focus on your breathing for a minute is tremendous but new features for longer sessions or different exercises would add even greater value.

Apple

Watch faces

I’m not the only one who wants more and more Watch faces and I’m sure WWDC will bring a few. Should outside companies be able to make them? I’m not sure. They’re already in the complications available but Apple’s engineers have exquisite taste and a smart integration with Watch features, and it may be best to keep it that way.

But do I want more Watch faces like those adorable scamps, the Toy Story characters? You bet.

Apple’s software innovations, or some of them at least, will be revealed on Monday. I’ll be reporting on what goes on, so check back here to find out more.

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