Apple Watch Series 9’s new feature is now available | ENBLE
Apple Watch Series 9's new feature is now available | ENBLE
Apple’s Wonderlust Event reveals exciting new features for Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2
Apple’s recent Wonderlust event was a treasure trove of exciting announcements, including the highly anticipated iPhone 15 lineup and the USB-C AirPods Pro 2. But one of the standout features revealed during the event was the new gesture coming to the Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2: Double Tap. While it may seem like a completely new innovation, Double Tap has actually been around since the Apple Watch Series 4 as an accessibility feature called AssistiveTouch.
So, what exactly is Double Tap, and how does it work? Double Tap is a systemwide gesture that lets you control your Apple Watch with a simple double tap of your index finger and thumb. Acting as the primary button in the active app, Double Tap allows users to perform various actions using just their watch hand. This feature is particularly useful when your other hand is occupied, like when you’re holding a drink, groceries, or even scaling a rock climbing wall.
During Apple’s keynote, Double Tap was demonstrated in action, showcasing its ability to snooze alarms, take photos with the iPhone camera, play and pause music, answer and end phone calls, and more. It can also launch Smart Stack widgets in watchOS 10 and be used to scroll through the stack. Watching Double Tap in action is reminiscent of the Apple Vision Pro and how it utilizes hand gestures for control.
The magic behind Double Tap on the Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 lies in the new S9 system-in-a-package (SiP). Equipped with a faster Neural Engine, this new chip processes data from the accelerometer, gyroscope, and optical heart sensor using a cutting-edge machine learning algorithm. This algorithm can detect the unique signature of subtle wrist movements and changes in blood flow when the index finger and thumb are tapped together.
However, while the introduction of Double Tap is undoubtedly exciting, it can leave owners of older Apple Watch models feeling a bit left out. But here’s the thing: Double Tap has actually been available since the Series 4 through an often overlooked accessibility feature known as AssistiveTouch.
AssistiveTouch is designed to aid users who have difficulty touching the screen or pressing buttons on their Apple Watch. It utilizes the watch’s integrated sensors and enables actions like answering calls, controlling an onscreen pointer, and launching a menu of actions. These actions are performed using hand gestures such as pinch, double pinch, clench, and double clench.
The range of actions that can be accomplished with AssistiveTouch is extensive. From tapping the display and pressing the Digital Crown to swiping between screens and accessing the Notification Center, there are numerous functions that can be customized to suit individual preferences. This feature is available on the Apple Watch Series 4 and later, Apple Watch SE 1 and later, and Apple Watch Ultra 1 and later, running watchOS 9 or later.
To enable AssistiveTouch on your Apple Watch, follow these steps on your iPhone’s Watch app: 1. Launch the Watch app. 2. Select Accessibility. 3. Scroll down and choose AssistiveTouch. 4. Turn on the toggle. 5. Select Hand Gestures. 6. Turn on the toggle for Hand Gestures. 7. Customize the four gestures (Pinch, Double Pinch, Clench, and Double Clench) to your preferred actions.
I tried the AssistiveTouch feature on my first-generation Apple Watch Ultra, and the Double Pinch gesture is essentially the same as Double Tap. The other gestures are valuable additions, although setting up an Activation Gesture to trigger AssistiveTouch may initially be confusing. Once configured, AssistiveTouch proves to be quite responsive and efficient, although it may take some time to memorize the customized actions.
While AssistiveTouch is undeniably helpful for those who require assistance, it might be a bit cumbersome for the average user to utilize regularly. Double Tap on the Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 offers a streamlined reimagination of this existing feature.
It may be disappointing for owners of older Apple Watch models to hear that Double Tap may not be available to them due to the processing power required by the S9’s Neural Engine. Apple has positioned Double Tap as a marquee feature for the Series 9 and Ultra 2, making it unlikely to be extended to earlier models, even if they are technically capable to some extent.
However, it is worth noting that Apple has made changes in the past. For instance, the Stage Manager feature in iPadOS was initially touted as exclusive to iPads with the M1 chip but was eventually made available to all iPad models dating back to 2018. While there are no guarantees, there is a possibility that Apple may reconsider bringing Double Tap to older Apple Watch models in the future.
In the meantime, Apple Watch owners can still enjoy a similar functionality as Double Tap with AssistiveTouch, which essentially replicates the Double Pinch gesture. Furthermore, all Apple Watch models, including older ones, possess the necessary sensors like accelerometers, gyroscopes, and optical heart sensors. While older S-chips may lack the computational power to support the machine learning algorithm, the performance of the S8 chip remains commendable.
While it would have been fantastic to see Double Tap available to a broader range of Apple Watch users, AssistiveTouch remains a great workaround. Its inclusion in the new Series 9 and Ultra 2 models further confirms Apple’s commitment to providing innovative and accessible features for its smartwatches. With the introduction of Double Tap, Apple is once again pushing the boundaries of wearable technology and reaffirming its status as a leader in the industry.
