The Touchless Watch

Just a few days ago, Apple showed off its first major update to the Apple Watch in a new operating system dubbed watchOS. I’ve now watched that segment of the keynote three times and I’ve noticed a reoccurring theme with some the enhancements Apple is making: Apple wants you touching your Watch less.

This is a great thing in my opinion. You want the Watch to require as little physical interaction as possible. Why? Because if it always requires two arms, then that means the product isn’t that much better, and possibly even worse than using a one-handed device such as the iPhone.

One of the big ways Apple is doing this is with Siri. In watchOS 2, Apple has made it possible for you to tell Siri that you’re going to workout. Just lift you rest and say “Hey Siri… I’m going on a 30 minute outdoor run.” From there Siri will instantly start the Workout app, select OutDoor Run, and then start measuring your activity. That right there removes four physical interactions: pressing the Digital Crown, tapping the Workout app (not to mention having to hunt for that tiny icon), selecting Outdoor Run, and then finally hitting Start.

That’s a big deal.

Apple is also letting developers build third-party complications in watchOS 2. Now when you lift your wrist, you’ll get information that previously might require a Glance, something you can only access with a finger swipe up. By allowing people the customize the information they see when they lift up their wrist, this takes away the need to touch your Watch. Again, small when you think about it, but very meaningful when you’re doing that 50 times a day.

Of course, they won’t be able to get rid of all interactions, but I believe that it’s in Apple’s best interest to remove as many physical interactions as possible. The more they do that, the better the Watch becomes and the more successful it will be.