When the Apple Watch debuted last spring, it was a good, if unexceptional, fitness tracker. It could measure basic stats (heart聽rate, distance, speed), but wasn鈥檛 capable of in-depth analysis. That changes starting September 16, thanks to , a software update聽announced Wednesday at聽San Francisco's Bill Graham Theater.聽
The update allows third party Watch apps (think聽) to run natively and access data from the watch鈥檚 accelerometer and heart-rate monitor. This will make the apps run much faster (no lag between watch and phone communicating), but more importantly, it means you鈥檒l be able to ditch your iPhone when you head out the door to exercise*. The Watch will accurately track detailed stats such as max speed and heart聽rate via your favorite app. These native apps will also be customizable so you can choose which stats you want to see.
Don鈥檛 expect all of this to happen right away, however. We鈥檝e spoken with reps from Under Armour, Strava, and Runtastic, and they won鈥檛 specify when their apps will get native functionality. They鈥檙e moving slowly to ensure everything works as advertised.
Additionally, watchOS 2 will allow third party Watch app data to merge into Activity. This lets athletes use specialized fitness apps like Strava for their workouts, but still rely on the Apple's Activity app鈥攚hich measures exercise,聽movement, and stand time throughout the day鈥攖o track overall fitness.
Other smaller updates include the ability to start a workout using Siri聽and enabled WiFi connectivity. 聽
Of course,聽the Apple Watch is still only water resistant down to three feet (so no swimming), and it doesn鈥檛 have built-in GPS. These are hardware upgrades that can鈥檛 be solved with new software. We鈥檒l just have to wait for the Apple Watch 2.0.聽
*This article was updated to correct a point about how the apps will work.