WatchOS 8: Apple dropped a bombshell announcement at WWDC 2021 regarding the next Apple Watch update, and we’ve rounded up all the key information you need to know.

Ahead of WWDC, some leaks had made their way online about what we might come to expect from watchOS 8, but Apple still had plenty up its sleeve that had us impressed and surprised in equal measure. If the new features of watchOS 8 are any indication of what we can expect from Apple Watch 7, then we could be in for one of Apple’s most forward thinking wearables yet.

Of course, tons of information about a whole bunch of Apple products were announced during the WWDC event, so if you want to know more about iPadOS 15 or even iOS 15 then you can check out our hubs for those via the included links, but for everything watchOS 8 you only have to keep on reading.

For developers, watchOS 8 will be available from today (June 7), and a public beta will open up at some point in July. For everyone else, you’ll have to show a little more patience as general access will happen in autumn.

Until an official announcement is given, we won’t know for sure which Apple Watch versions will be updated with watchOS 8, but we have a pretty good idea of which ones will be included. The Apple Watch 6, Apple Watch 5, Apple Watch 4 and Apple Watch SE are almost guaranteed to be coming along for the ride with the latest update. This means a number of the best smartwatches on the market could be made even better in the very near future.

The only outlier is the Apple Watch 3. Apple still sells its third generation wearable, having served the purpose of being an affordable alternative to the more pricier flagships to have come out since. The problem is that the Apple Watch SE now fits that role perfectly, so this might finally be the year that the Apple Watch 3 is left to retire gracefully, before it becomes too difficult to include in updates. However, considering it’s still being sold there’s every chance the support will continue.

Apple has confirmed a dizzying array of new feature for watchOS 8, but the company spent the most time during WWDC focusing on the expansion of mindfulness apps and greater options in Apple Fitness Plus.

For starters, the animations on the Breathe app have been improved, and the feature itself will soon be moved into the overarching Mindfulness app. Alongside Breathe, Apple will be introducing Reflect, a new feature that will inspire positive reflection by asking users to take a moment and consider the things that bring them joy. It might sound like a simple concept, but moments of gratitude can go a long way to improving your mental health.

Apple Fitness Plus on the other hand will soon be getting new workout routines designed entirely around the curated playlist of a single artist. Billie Eilish and Keith Urban were among the artists shown. For those who don’t fork out for Apple Fitness Plus, there’s some news for you too, with two new workouts – Tai Chi and a revised Pilates routine – are on their way to Apple Watch.

If you’re a fan of the Photos watch face (the most popular Apple Watch face according to Apple itself) then you’re in luck, as it’s about to get a huge facelift with portraits support. Photos in portrait mode will now be dynamically adjusted to suit Apple Watch, with the subject of the photo moving in accordance with the digital crown.

Messages will also be getting a tweak, as users will soon get the ability to send gifs directly from the response page on Apple Watch. You can even use swipes to edit voice-to-text dictation, making the feature easier to use and preventing the need from re-recording what’s been said.