Apple Watch users will soon be able to fully customize their device with the ability to delete native apps on WatchOS 6. Often times, users will have frequently unused native apps, and this move will allow them to free up space for other apps. First party apps that can now be deleted include Alarm, Timer, Stopwatch, Remote, Camera Remote, Radio and health-related apps like ECG, Breath and Cycle Tracking.
Apple Watch users can currently delete third-party apps by holding the app, then pressing the 'X;' to delete them, or by going through settings. The release of WatchOS 6 this fall will expand what apps can be deleted -- previously first party apps could not be deleted from the Apple Watch because they did not have an iOS counterpart to uninstall.
Image Credit: Apple
What's Driving This Trend
- Fully Customizable Smartwatches
- This trend provides opportunities for companies to create smartwatches that offer customizable features beyond the removal of pre-installed apps.
- Minimalist Native Apps
- This trend shows the demand for smartwatch users to have minimalist and customizable apps in their device.
- Independent Smartwatches
- This trend indicates that consumers are looking for smartwatches that can perform independently from a phone.
Who This Affects Most
- Consumer Electronics
- This industry can utilize the trend of fully customizable smartwatches to create devices that cater to the user's specific needs and preferences.
- Health and Fitness
- This industry can take advantage of the trend of minimalist native apps to create smartwatches that will provide only essential health information and features.
- Wearable Technology
- This industry can use the trend of independent smartwatches to create devices that can cater to users who are always on the go and don't want to carry their phone.
