This free Apple Watch update lets you race yourself like Mario Kart
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Apple Watch users (at least those on Apple Watch Series 4 or later) are in for a slew of new features now that watchOS9.2 has rolled out and is now available for download.
This free update to Apple’s latest iteration of the wearable OS has a bunch of new stuff, including updated workout algorithms, patches for some existing bugs, and a new Race Route tool for runners, cyclists, and wheelchair athletes that’s one of our best Apple Watch items. . We’ll show you how to get the new features in a moment, but first let’s go through the list of available features.
The Race Route tool is watchOS9.2’s version of Garmin’s Pace Pro tool, or Mario Kart’s “ghost” character that replicates your past performance on the track so you can race against your previous times. This allows you to compete against your previous performance when selecting Outdoor Run, Outdoor Cycle, and Outdoor Wheelchair workouts.
Why would you want this? Well, if you’re training for an event, it’s a great way to push yourself on the same course every time, as your watch will give you regular updates if you fall behind or get ahead of your previous time. Let’s past!
There’s also a new custom Kickboxing algorithm in the Workout app for “more accurate stats.” Kickboxing was previously lumped in with the “Other” aerobic workout type within Apple Watch workout profiles, and it’s measured in the same basic language as other disciplines: heart rate, calories burned, and so on. As a former kickboxer, I’m fascinated to see if the new update will include specialist stats suitable for a bag workout or even a sparring session, such as the ability to distinguish between ’rounds’. I will test it at the first opportunity.
Your Apple Watch, among a host of other patches and fixes, will also no longer interrupt you with notifications during mindfulness sessions, which is great to hear. The full list of changes can be found below, as seen at Apple. com (opens in new tab):
- Race Route lets you compete against previous times and paces when you select Outdoor Run, Outdoor Cycle, and Outdoor Wheelchair Workouts.
- The kickboxing algorithm in the Workout app is said to yield “more accurate” stats.
- The Noise app, which displays ambient noise levels, is now available with the first-generation AirPods Pro and AirPods Max when using active noise cancellation.
- Family Setup users can be invited to the Home app to control HomePod speakers, unlock doors with house keys in Wallet, and use accessories.
- Accessibility support for the hearing impaired to visualize when siren is in use on Apple Watch Ultra.
- Hand gesture controls for AssistiveTouch and Quick Actions provide improved accuracy and response times.
- Crash Detection has been further optimized to support Apple Watches (the Apple Watch Ultra, Apple Watch Series 8, and Apple Watch SE 2).
- Fix for a bug that caused incorrect watch time to be displayed right after ignoring an alarm in Sleep FocusFix for a bug that caused interruptions in mindfulness sessions
How to get the watchOS9.2 update on your Apple Watch
For starters, your iPhone must have both iOS 16.2 or later installed and an Apple Watch that can support watchOS9. Most people will, but just to be clear, you’ll need one of the models below to make it work:
- Apple Watch Series 4
- Apple Watch Series 5
- Apple Watch SE
- Apple Watch Series 6
- Apple Watch Series 7
- Apple Watch Series 8
- Apple Watch Ultra
Make sure your Apple Watch is charged to 50% or more and go to your iPhone’s Apple Watch app to start the update. Choose My Watch > General > Software Update to install. If your watch is connected to Wi-Fi, you can also update directly on your watch by navigating to Settings > General > Software Update.
Apple Watch’s running stats are excellent, especially with watchOS9 bringing features like wrist-based running power, which is normally only achievable with a heart rate monitor on other watches. However, at the time of writing, only the Apple Watch Ultra has made it onto our list of best running watches ever.