watchOS 3 beta 2: here’s what’s new

Apple released watchOS 3 beta 2 to developers today. Here is our list of all the new features and changes in this update.

Everything new in watchOS 3 beta 2:

  • Apps seem to launch even faster than watchOS 3 beta 1
  • Improvements to battery life
  • Emergency SOS feature is now functional. It can be accessed by pressing and holding the side button for 6 seconds which directly initiates the SOS call. It is also available in the power off menu which is available by long pressing the side button, though that requires less than 6 seconds.
  • Home app has a new icon

    New HomeKit app icon

  • New colors available for watch faces including a few shades of green. They seem to match Apple’s latest sport band colors.
  • Time on Photo watch faces now has a glow
  • Workouts now include Elevation Gain
  • Apple Watch app now shows full screen maps for workouts, where supported

The update is available for developers. watchOS 3 beta 2 can also be installed without a developer account but beware that you cannot downgrade it yourself. The Apple Watch needs to be taken to an Apple Store to downgrade it back to a stable release.

Apple also released iOS 10 beta 2 today. Check out our detailed a list of all the new features in iOS 10 beta 2.

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