Apple last week launched watchOS 10 , the latest major software update for compatible Apple Watch models, as well as the new Apple Watch Series 9 and second-generation Apple Watch Ultra, both of which come with watchOS 10 pre-installed. Headline watchOS 10 features include a new Smart Stack interface with widgets, new watch faces, and more. In this article, we've listed 22 other features and enhancements in Apple's new smartwatch software, many of which may have gone under your radar. Bear in mind that watchOS 10 requires Apple Watch Series 4 or later and an iPhone XS or later running iOS 17 . 1. Automate Night Mode On Apple Watch Ultra models, watchOS 10 brings a new Modular Ultra watch face that, like the Wayfinder face, supports Night Mode . Night Mode puts a red filter on the display, and previously could only be manually activated by turning the Digital Crown. In watchOS 10, however, there's a Night Mode setting in the watch face edit screen
Apple will begin using a new material to make its printed circuit boards thinner starting next year, according to a source with a good track record. Apple will reportedly switch to using resin coated copper (RCC) foil as a new printed circuit board (PCB) material in 2024. The change will apparently allow Apple to make its PCBs even thinner. Current iPhone PCBs are made from a flexible copper substrate material. A thinner PCB could free up valuable space inside compact devices like the iPhone and Apple Watch to provide more room for larger batteries or other components. The iPhone 16 Pro models are expected to grow in size from 6.1- and 6.7-inches to 6.3- and 6.9-inches , respectively. The increase in size is believed to be partly due to a need for more internal space for additional components such as a tetraprism telephoto camera with 5x optical zoom and a capacitive "Capture" button . The information comes from an integrated circuit expert on Weibo, who was fir