[NewsPoster]

The chief of the Apple Watch, Kevin Lynch, unveiled a first look at watchOS 3.0, which introduced a number of new features -- chief among them is dramatically faster app launches through the used of background updates and favorites apps remaining in memory. Also new is a dock-like setup, and a swipe up to bring up an iOS-like Control Center. Apple has made general speed improvements throughout, and included some new watch faces -- including an "activity face" that shows both the activity rings and the clock face.

In addition, the company introduced a new "scribble" feature that allows users to "write" (one letter at a time) on the screen to make a custom reply when the pre-set ones aren't appropriate, and you can't dictate. Overall, the "side button" on the Apple Watch received a big boost from the changes, now being used to bring up the dock feature, which can be customized with favourite apps, and it can be pressed and held to start an automatic 911 call (the feature will shift to 999 if you are in a country that uses that system. Jay Blahnik took the stage to talk about a new feature that is optional for users who want to share their Activity Rings with others. A tap on the Activity Sharing button will bring up the rings and stats for people who have opted to share this information, and users can message their circle directly from within the app. Disabled users were also considered in the updated Activity app, with "time to stand" settings changed to "time to roll" with special workouts for wheelchair users, with rolling counting as part of their movement activity. A new app, Breathe, is meant to foster better breathing, meditation, and mind-clearing in an effort to reduce stress. For those who wish to close their eyes with deep breathing exercises, the taptic engine will help guide experienced and novice users alike. Lynch also noted a new API for Apple Pay that allows for purchases. Developers will gain much more direct control of the Apple Watch hardware in watchOS 3.0 -- including access to the Crown button, support for Game Center and CloudKit, direct audio-video control, and including background workout and fitness activity. The preview for watchOS 3.0 is available for developers today, and the final version is expected to be released this fall.

[Stuke]

Huh? How about Apple Watch 2.0 first. Let's hear about the next hardware rather than Palm Pilot scribble and breathing exercises.

Originally Posted by NewsPoster 

the "side button" on the Apple Watch received a big boost from the changes, now being used to bring up the dock feature, which can be customized with favourite apps, and it can be pressed and held to start an automatic 911 call

Anyone else think this is a bit risky? Say that you are exploring what a new app can do and so you press and hold that button, either out of habit, or inadvertently. Or say that the watch leans into the edge of a table and presses into the button. Or maybe you are buying WATCH for the first time and are not aware of the 911 function, so you begin learning by pressing and holding buttons to see what it does. And then, you hear your phone dialing 911... and you're like
"WTF I didn't dial..." police are legally required to meet the emergency caller. This is just going to skyrocket the number of false alarms that police will have to deal with.

[Mike Wuerthele]

After the button press, there's a cancellable countdown on the face of the watch.

[DiabloConQueso]

"police are legally required to meet the emergency caller."

No they're not. I can assure you that you're talking out of the wrong end of your pipe when you assert that accidental 9-1-1 calls carry a legal requirement of dispatching officers to the location of the caller.

Yes they are. And you are talking out of the wrong end of your pipe. How does that make you feel? When we accidentally dialed 911, about 10 years ago, and 911 answered, we told them it was a misdial. The dispatcher said that they HAD to send a police officer to our residence, who showed up 1 hour and 24 minutes later, and required that we show the officer the intended contact number.