Apple Previews New Apple Watch Software

Apple previewed Monday its watchOS 2, the first major software update for Apple Watch, giving developers the tools to build apps running natively on Apple Watch.

Now developers can take advantage of the hardware features of Apple Watch including the Digital Crown, Taptic Engine and heart rate sensor, along with software APIs to build new app experiences.

Available to Apple Watch users this fall, watchOS 2 also includes new watch faces, third-party app information as watch face complications and new communication capabilities in Mail, Friends and Digital Touch.

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watchOS 2 will be available this fall as a free update to Apple Watch. Apple Watch requires iPhone 5, iPhone 5c, iPhone 5s, iPhone 6 or iPhone 6 Plus running iOS 8.2 or later.

The iOS 9 SDK beta including WatchKit for watchOS 2 is available for iOS Developer Program members.

According to Apple, features are subject to change and some features may not be available in all regions or all languages.