GoKawiilWhen watchOS 27 is released later this month, Apple Watch users may notice that some things work a bit differently. The upcoming software update removes three features that users may miss after updating.
Walkie-Talkie removed from Apple Watch
First up is Walkie-Talkie, Apple’s real-time voice communication app that only works between Apple Watches.
Personally, Walkie-Talkie never clicked for me, especially because leaving it on meant having the yellow app icon on your watch face. Others who use it in real-world situations are already missing it, and more people will notice this month (and on new Apple Watches).
I don’t think a third-party app can replicate exactly what Apple offered with Walkie-Talkie on Apple Watch. Still, a version that works on both iPhone and Apple Watch would be better received, I think.
Multitasking shortcut is missing
Next, there’s the Digital Crown double-click multitasking gesture that now does … the same thing as single-clicking the Digital Crown. I wrote about this in my watchOS 27 public beta preview and again yesterday.
I don’t know if double-clicking the Digital Crown will be the way forward on multitasking in watchOS. Still, a way to quickly jump between two apps or an app and the watch face has always been useful. I hope a solution returns.
As for the double-click button shortcut, I think the Apple Watch is so button-limited that there should be something that happens with a double-click, even if it’s not multitasking. I’m thinking about this as two separate possibilities now.
Dynamic app grid always comes first
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