Apple has been working to transform its smartwatch into a health-focused Apple Watch, and the latest beta code for iOS 11 revealed that the company will push the device further into that direction.
The clues, while unclear if all are related to the upcoming watchOS 4 for the Apple Watch, hint that the device will soon be able to support and track more kinds of physical activity and exercises.
More Apple Watch Workouts On The Way?
Brazilian Apple-focused website iHelp BR, by taking a look at iOS 11 beta code, discovered a variety of icons that will be used for the Apple Watch companion app. The icons represent new Workouts within the Fitness UI framework of the Apple Watch, and cover a very wide range of exercises and sports.
The icons and code strings unveiled about 40 activities as Apple Watch Workouts, including baseball, bowling, boxing, dance, lacrosse, skating, skiing, surfing, and many others.
The latest watchOS 4 beta, however, does not yet include any of these icons and the Workouts that they represent. This could mean that Apple is working to add them at a later data, or that they will only be available in the rumored next version of the Apple Watch.
Most of these activities are not supported or monitored by other smartwatches and fitness trackers, which further increases the likelihood that the next Apple Watch will come with special sensors that will make monitoring these activities a possibility.
The Future Of The Apple Watch
Reports from earlier this month claimed that the next Apple Watch will undergo a major revamp just as the iPhone is believed to be going through for the iPhone 8, with built-in LTE and an all-new form factor. Such an overhaul would also likely include new sensors to enable monitoring for the Workouts found in the iOS 11 beta code.
Interested users will also apparently not have to wait long for the new Apple Watch models. The Apple Watch Series 3, according to another report, is already in its final testing phase and will launch right in time for the holiday shopping season in the fourth quarter of the year. It is believed that the smartwatch will be unveiled alongside the next iPhone models next month.
Meanwhile, continuing the company's renewed focus on health for the Apple Watch, Apple and Aetna were reportedly in discussions for an expanded partnership. The plan is to bring the smartwatch to the insurance company's 23 million members, either at a discounted price or as a free gift upon membership.
