watchOS 11: For the first time, sick and rest days ring for activity

Anyone who has an Apple Watch usually uses the functions it has to track its activity. By default, the watch records exercise (at least 30 minutes of “brisk walking” a day), active calories (calories burned while exercising), and getting up (at least one minute per hour of exercise). There are users who have been closing all their activity rings for years and thus achieving a “streak” that Apple rewards with virtual medals (for example for monthly goals). It has long been possible to set personal values ​​yourself, for example by changing playing minutes or standing goals. However, what was not yet available was preventing the count. Apple first implemented it with watchOS 11.

Advertisement

Interrupted streaks are very discouraging

“The ‘Move’, ‘Exercise’ and ‘Stand’ rings show your daily activity,” writes Apple. “And the goal is to close them every day.” However, if you ever need a break, there’s no way to “keep your groove going.” watchOS 11 now makes it possible to go no tracking for a day, a week, a month, or even longer without the streak ending.

It is also helpful in maintaining motivation: there are certainly users who do not want to continue a series if it is interrupted – which was certainly not in Apple’s interest. Only the manufacturer knows why this feature took so long to be implemented – it’s been requested for years.

Practical implementation of pause

Apple has also implemented the innovation in practice in the Activity app on the Apple Watch, as well as in “Fitness” on the iPhone. To do this, you click the ring on the clock (where previously you could only change the goal) and then you can choose how long you want to stay – including the current day. Below there is also a setting for more precise adjustment to the desired date. On the iPhone, this feature can be found at the bottom of Day View.

New business area: beats with your own iPhone case

Another new feature in watchOS 11 is that you can set customized goals per day, for example exercising more or less on weekends. There’s also a new calendar function. Finally, the Apple Watch records sports activities better even after pausing tracking during training – the app then asks if the pause should be ended and if it can credit any minutes missed.

(B.Sc.)