What is the latest improvements to WatchKit?

The latest improvements to WatchKit, as presented at WWDC, include several exciting updates and new features in watchOS 11:

1. Live Activities: If you've adopted live activities in your iOS app, the system will leverage the work you've already done to support the Dynamic Island to offer a live activity experience on Apple Watch. This includes compact leading and trailing views automatically appearing in the smart stack and during significant event notifications. You can also customize the live activity view for Apple Watch using the environment to further tailor the experience (Platforms State of the Union).

2. Widgets: watchOS 11 introduces expanded capabilities for widgets. You can now bring interactive widgets to watchOS using the same APIs as on iOS and macOS. App intents allow for multiple interactive areas within widgets, and the new accessory widget group layout provides more information and interactivity. Widgets can also be contextually relevant, appearing in the smart stack based on factors like time of day, location, and routine (Platforms State of the Union).

3. Double Tap: This new feature offers new ways to navigate and take action in your app or widget. It allows users to perform primary actions quickly and easily with a double tap gesture (Platforms State of the Union).

4. Health and Fitness Enhancements: There are new possibilities for apps in the health and fitness space with enhancements in HealthKit and WorkoutKit. For example, you can now read and write mood or emotion data using the new state of mind API. Custom pool swimming workouts have a new goal type, and you can customize the name of workout steps (What’s new in watchOS 11).

5. Custom Live Activity Views: Developers can provide a custom live activity view for Apple Watch, allowing for a more tailored and engaging user experience. This includes using the supplemental activity families to customize the smart stack view (Bring your Live Activity to Apple Watch).

For more detailed information, you can refer to the following sessions:

• Platforms State of the Union
• What’s new in watchOS 11
• Bring your Live Activity to Apple Watch
• Build custom swimming workouts with WorkoutKit