watchOS 5 to Bring Features Focused on Better Fitness Tracking for Apple Watch

Apple is apparently aiming to strengthen the fitness tracking aspect of the Apple Watch with its upcoming operating system update, watchOS 5.

Some of the big winners in the recently held Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) were Apple Watch owners mostly because of the promised new features arriving with watchOS 5.

Notably, Apple wants to improve the fitness-related functions of the wearable device. This objective was made more apparent with the watchOS 5's tagline “Be more active. Stay better connected.”

One of the additions on watchOS 5 worth noting is the automatic workout detection. Programs for tracking workouts are generally not a new feature in the wearable device industry. However, people who are just starting to use these products may sometimes forget to activate their tracker and only remember to do so when they are already halfway or at the end of their exercise. Luckily for Apple Watch owners, watchOS 5 provides a solution to that.

With the watchOS 5 update, a notification to activate the Workout app will pop up once the Apple Watch detects its owner is moving. The wearable device will also sense if the user has ended the workout session and will remind them to close the app.

In early watchOS releases, Apple introduced several features that are of great help to runners. watchOS 5 is going to add advanced functions that will somewhat cater to the needs of professionals. For example, the upcoming OS update will add the option to set a target pace and will notify users if they are behind or gaining the progress they want.

Sometimes people get motivated to workout or run more when their friends challenge them, and Apple knows that. For this reason, the tech giant confirmed that the activity sharing options on Apple Watches will be expanded upon the release of watchOS 5.

Apple Watch users will be able to send challenges to friends and family who are also using the wearable device. Even more interesting is it appears to be impossible to cheat since every workout session will be automatically added to the Activity rings. Apple Watch users will then be rewarded with points based on their Activity rings achievements, providing unbiased results on who wins the weekly challenge.

watchOS 5 is slated to be released in fall.