Major Apple Watch Upgrade Causes Excitement

The original Apple Watch was released one year ago, and it failed to cause the excitement Apple had hoped for. When the Watch first came out, it was the first major new product from Apple in years not to receive unanimously good reviews. Even though CNET gave the watch three-and-a-half stars, it was a rating that was lower than any other Apple product during the past year.

“The Apple Watch is the most ambitious, well-constructed smartwatch ever seen, but first-gen shortfalls make it feel more like a fashionable toy than a necessary tool. That may change with a big software update later this year, though.”

CNET didn’t like the fact that the battery only lasts about a day and that the price for most models is more than it should be. The New York Times didn’t like the fact that there was a steep learning curve.

“First there was a day to learn the device’s initially complex user interface. Then another to determine how it could best fit it into my life. And still one more to figure out exactly what Apple’s first major new product in five years is trying to do — and, crucially, what it isn’t,” claimed reviewer Farhad Manjoo.

Perhaps Apple has listened to the feedback and is preparing a major upgrade for the new Apple Watch. 9to5Mac has the news.

“A patent application spotted by Patently Apple suggests that the Apple Watch turning on its display as you raise your wrist could be just the first of many supported gestures. Pointing, waving and even extending pinky and thumb in a ‘phone me’ gesture could all be used to initiate actions on either the Watch itself or a paired iPhone.”

This occurs as Apple has just released watchOS2.2. According to MacRumors, the update not only introduces support for pairing multiple Apple Watches with one iPhone, but also improves the built-in Maps app. Some performance improvements have also been made. The commenters after the article aren’t impressed.

“No amount of updates can fix how slow the Apple Watch is,” says commenter Btrach144.

“This is all I need to hear to convince me to wait longer. I want one really bad, but I hear that there are so many improvements that are needed that I have to wait until 2nd gen. Just hope it’s not a 2 year thing!” Jonnysods says in response to Btrach144’s comment.

However, Apple Watch users on Twitter have definitely noticed improvements.

Thank you @AppleSupport for improving the #AppleWatch experience with #AppleTV much better in the latest update! pic.twitter.com/q5YUWCWyLP

— Tajddin Maghni (@tajddin) April 1, 2016

@andrewjwant Apple Watch battery update – almost got it through 2 days at a time before needing top up. Further updates to come…

— Sherb (@the_sherbster) March 30, 2016

The upgraded Apple Watch is just one of the many new products Apple has on its plate this year. In addition to recently releasing the iPhone SE and the well-received 9.7-inch iPad Pro, Apple is also set to release the iPhone 7, as well as updated versions of the MacBook, MacBook Pro, and — possibly — MacBook Air. Apple is trying to prove itself in a world where they are no longer ahead of the curve — at least not much as they used to be. Are you looking forward to the updated Apple Watch? Let us know in the comments section.

[Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images]