Jonathan Reed

WatchOS 26 was, all things considered, a very small release, which, after last year’s packed watchOS 11, was a disappointment. Nevertheless, there are some nice additions to discover. Here’s my article for @macstories:

https://www.macstories.net/news/watchos-26-the-macstories-overview/

watchOS 26: The MacStories Overview

Earlier today, Apple announced watchOS 26 and with it, a selection of updates and new features for the Apple Watch. Alongside all of Apple’s other platforms, watchOS will adopt the new Liquid Glass design language, albeit in a less significant way. watchOS didn’t feature any Apple Intelligence features when it launched last year, and that

Jun 10, 2025 at 9:39amWeb
Show threadChris De JabetJun 10, 2025
@jonathanreed I’m curious what the analog faces look like in watchOS 26. All Apple is showing in their materials are the digital faces.
Show threadJonathan ReedJun 10, 2025
@chrisdejabet I suspect they won’t change. I think the reason this is the only one that has Liquid Glass is because it interacts with the photo like on the iPhone.
My prediction is we’ll see one of two new watch faces in the style of Liquid Glass when The series 11 launches in September.
Show threadPaul StocktonJun 11, 2025
@jonathanreed I'm finding the new wrist flick gesture so handy. Various notifications were appearing while on the cross trainer last night and it's so easy to close them and get back to my workout view
Show threadJonathan ReedJun 11, 2025
@pauls I’m keen to try this. Waiting a bit to make sure there’s no catastrophic problems.
Show threadPaul StocktonJun 11, 2025
@jonathanreed belts and braces on every device as usual 😂
Battery life hasn't been catastrophic either. Watch series 11 is on 60% so I'm not seeing it tank as you do on a first betas usually.
Show threadJonathan ReedJun 11, 2025
@pauls Interesting. Done any workouts today?
Show threadPaul StocktonJun 11, 2025
@jonathanreed yup, 40 minute walk. Yesterday I did 3x outdoor walks and the cross trainer
Show threadJonathan ReedJun 11, 2025
@pauls Ok I’m doing it. 🔥
Show threadPaul StocktonJun 11, 2025
@jonathanreed Easy enough to give the Watch a quick top up during the day if you need to if it's going down too much for you.
Show threadLee BeeverJun 14, 2025
@jonathanreed @macstories the lack of Apple Intelligence on device and requiring an iPhone nearby is disappointing. I wonder if that’ll be the “big new feature” of the Apple Watches this September? Or is that a step too far with the pace of current AW chipsets?
Show threadJonathan ReedJun 14, 2025
@Beever @macstories I wouldn’t be surprised if the new Apple Watches did support on device workout buddy. I think they might have normally waited to announce with the new watches in the fall. However, the watchOS update was already thin and it plays into their ‘look Apple Intelligence can be good’ narrative so I suspect that’s why they announced it like this. But time will tell!
Show threadJonathan ReedJun 14, 2025
@Beever @macstories As they currently stand, the current chipsets can’t support Apple Intelligence.