Apple’s watchOS 11 update for the company’s latest Apple Watch models should bring new features to improve the user experience, the company announced at the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2024 on Monday. A user has now spotted a feature that Apple didn’t reveal at WWDC that will be coming to the Apple Watch when the update arrives later this year. Furthermore, it has been confirmed that the Smart Stack app will get a dedicated Shazam widget, which allows users to quickly search for songs that are currently playing.
New features on Apple Watch
According to a post on X (formerly Twitter) by Max Weinbach, automatic sleep tracking will be introduced to the Apple Watch with the watchOS 11 update. Currently, Apple’s smartwatch doesn’t monitor sleep until Sleep Focus mode is turned on.
With watchOS 11, Apple’s smartwatches will automatically track a user’s sleep cycle regardless of the device’s operating mode, Weinbach says.
With the Apple Watch, users can track their sleep cycle and set schedules to meet their goals. Furthermore, it is also claimed to provide an estimated amount of time the user spends in each stage of sleep – REM sleep, core sleep and deep sleep.
Apple is also bringing a new Shazam widget to the Smart Stack – a set of widgets available to users based on time, location and activity that can be accessed from any watch face.
While Shazam was already available in the App Store or accessible via Siri, watchOS 11 will reportedly bring it to the Smart Stack, potentially allowing users to search for currently playing music even faster.
Apple says it’s also introducing other widgets to the Smart Stack alongside Shazam, such as Translate, Distance, Photos, severe weather alerts and Live Activities.
WatchOS 11 compatibility
According to Apple, watchOS 11 will be available on Apple Watch Series 6 or later paired with iPhone XR or later models running iOS 18. The watchOS 11 developer beta is already live and can be accessed through the Apple Developer Program.
