Apple previews watchOS 26 with new design, ‘Workout Buddy’

Apple (AAPL) previewed watchOS 26, which it says offers “a beautiful new look and even more intelligence for a more personalized experience, to support users in staying active, healthy, and connected.” Apple added: “A new design with Liquid Glass makes features like the Smart Stack, Control Center, the Photos watch face, and in-app navigation and controls more expressive, while maintaining the instant familiarity of watchOS. Apple Intelligence enhances the fitness experience with Workout Buddy, which provides personalized, spoken motivation. The Workout app features a new layout, and offers music to listen to based on a user’s tastes and the workout type. watchOS 26 makes everyday interactions even more convenient with Smart Stack hints and updates to Messages, and introduces a new one-handed wrist flick gesture to easily dismiss notifications.” David Clark, Apple’s senior director of watchOS Engineering, added: “From a gorgeous new design, to Workout Buddy with Apple Intelligence, personalized music suggestions in the Workout app, and more intelligence in the Smart Stack and Messages, we’re excited about the many ways watchOS 26 will support each user in staying active, healthy, connected, and safe throughout their day.” All of these features are available for testing starting today through the Apple Developer Program and a public beta will be available through the Apple Beta Software Program next month, Apple stated. watchOS 26 will be available this fall as a free software update for Apple Watch Series 6 or later, Apple Watch SE 2nd generation, and all Apple Watch Ultra models, paired with iPhone 11 or later, running iOS 26.