Apple has officially rolled out watchOS 11.2 after a month of beta testing, and it’s bringing two exciting new features to Apple Watch users. While watchOS 11 has generally been a more mild update compared to other major operating system releases, these additions are sure to be welcome for users looking to get even more out of their wearable devices. From expanded tidal map support in the Tides app to a more convenient way to control video recordings on your iPhone, here’s a look at what’s new with watchOS 11.2.
1.Tides App Expands Map Support for Coastal Locations in China
For Apple Watch users who enjoy tracking tides or live in coastal regions, this update brings some good news. The Tides app, which helps users monitor tidal conditions, now supports more areas, including new coastal locations in China. This feature is especially useful for boaters, beachgoers, and anyone who relies on tidal data for their daily activities.
The expanded map functionality offers detailed information about tidal conditions, helping users stay informed about high and low tides, which can be critical for planning outdoor activities. Whether you’re fishing, surfing, or just strolling along the beach, the new tidal conditions feature is a helpful addition.
2. Camera Remote App Can Pause iPhone Video Recording
Another new feature in watchOS 11.2 that will appeal to iPhone users is the ability to pause video recording remotely via the Camera Remote app. Now, Apple Watch users can easily start and stop video recordings on their iPhone from their wrist, making it much easier to control hands-free recording.
This is particularly useful for users who want to film without constantly interacting with their iPhone, whether it’s for a long video shoot, capturing family moments, or recording a scene for a project. Being able to pause and resume recording directly from the Apple Watch adds a level of convenience and control that was previously unavailable.
watchOS 11 Features: A Recap of What’s Been Added So Far
While the watchOS 11.2 update is relatively minor in terms of features, there have been notable additions in earlier versions of the update, including watchOS 11.1. One of the major highlights of watchOS 11.1 was the introduction of two new Apple Intelligence features powered by the iPhone 15 Pro or newer devices.
- Reduce Interruptions: This new Focus Mode intelligently filters out notifications, only showing those that require immediate attention, like an urgent text about picking up your child from daycare. It ensures you’re not bombarded with distractions when you need to stay focused.
- Summarization: Apple Intelligence can now summarize your notifications, giving you a quick overview of what’s important without having to scroll through each message individually. It’s a simple way to stay on top of your day without feeling overwhelmed.
Apple Watch Users Still Await Sleep Apnea Detection in More Regions
Another highly anticipated feature for Apple Watch users is sleep apnea detection, which continues to roll out in more regions. While the feature has been launched in some countries, Apple is working with local governments to expand availability globally.
For those unfamiliar, sleep apnea is a potentially serious condition where a person’s breathing stops repeatedly during sleep. It’s estimated that over 1 billion people worldwide are affected by sleep apnea, but most cases go undiagnosed. Left untreated, the condition can lead to serious health issues like hypertension, Type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular problems.
To detect sleep apnea, the Apple Watch uses an accelerometer to monitor subtle wrist movements associated with interruptions in breathing patterns. These movements are tracked through a new metric called Breathing Disturbances. While some disturbances are normal, tracking them over time can help identify if a user is at risk for sleep apnea. Users can review their nightly breathing disturbances in the Health app, where they are categorized as either “elevated” or “not elevated.” This data can be viewed over different periods: one month, six months, or a full year.
This feature holds great promise for improving awareness and early detection of sleep apnea, potentially helping users take proactive steps to protect their health.
watchOS 11.2 Brings Incremental But Useful Updates
watchOS 11.2 is not a major overhaul, but the two new features—the expanded tidal map support and the ability to pause iPhone video recording via the Camera Remote app—add extra convenience and functionality to the Apple Watch experience. These features, along with the continued roll-out of sleep apnea detection and the enhancements in watchOS 11.1, show that Apple is committed to improving the user experience with each update.
As Apple Watch continues to evolve, users can look forward to even more useful features in the future. For now, if you’re an Apple Watch owner, be sure to update to watchOS 11.2 to take advantage of these new additions!
