Apple has today released Watch OS 1.0.1, marking the first update to the Apple Watch OS since the device was released in April.
According to Mac Rumors, the 1.0.1 update contains various bug fixes and improvements - accessibility being among them - as well as support for the new emojis found in iOS 8.3:
Watch OS 1.0.1 includes performance improvements and bug fixes for Siri, measuring stand activity, calculating calories for indoor cycling and rowing workouts, distance and pace during outdoor walking and running workouts, accessibility, and third-party apps. The software update also includes support for new the emojis found in iOS 8.3 and it provides additional language support for Brazilian Portuguese, Danish, Dutch, Swedish, Russian, Thai, and Turkish.
Apple has confirmed to us that this release fixes the following problems encountered by VoiceOver users in the first release:
- Fixed bug keeping VoiceOver users from clearing notifications.
- Fixed bug where users were getting stuck in Glances.
- Fixed problem with deleting emails.
We are pleased to see that Apple’s Accessibility Team has resolved these problems so quickly.
Watch OS 1.0.1 can be downloaded in the Apple Watch iPhone app under Settings> General> Software Update. Mac Rumors notes that, in order for the update to install, the Apple Watch must be placed on the charger and must also be within range of the iPhone it is paired to.
More information on how to update the software on your Apple Watch is available on this Apple Support page.
As always, we would love to hear your thoughts on this update.
Comments
Yuppers
Glad to see these updates coming so quickly. Just confirmed that Voice Over now is able to clear off individual notifications to the force touch clear all function working as well. One of the issues that existed as a definitely horrible Voice Over bug was the Notification clear all bug where you had to restart the watch to do anything with it. Now that is resolved.
Looking at Siri, "Hey Siri," once the Watch is awaken, is much more snappier, though still not 100%. Siri's responsiveness to commands and response feedback seems to be a bit more punctual.
Will be interesting to see how the improvements to standing and other activity monitoring works, though I did not mind having to start doing some jumping jacks or eight count push ups for a couple of minutes to receive credit for standing.