Apple yesterday released the new generation of iOS, iPadOS, tvOS, macOS and watchOS presentedNow a change has been discovered in watchOS 7 that also affects the Apple Watch Series 6.
Apple has completely removed the Force Touch feature in watchOS 7. While some testers initially thought the whole thing was a bug, a note was quickly discovered in Apple's new Human Interface Guidelines that confirmed the whole thing. With Force Touch, users can open hidden menus on the Apple Watch in watchOS 6, including options for deleting notifications or customizing watch faces. But this gesture is no longer supported in watchOS 7. This is stated in the guidelines:
Firm press and long press. In versions of watchOS prior to watchOS 7, users could firmly press the display to do things like change the watch face or reveal a hidden menu called the Force Touch menu. In watchOS 7 and later, system applications make previously hidden menu items accessible in a related screen or a settings screen. If you previously supported the gesture of a long press to open a hidden menu, consider moving the menu items to another location.
Apple Watch: Native apps have already been adapted
Now that the popular feature has been removed, Apple has of course made adjustments accordingly. For example, the Force Touch gesture for the Grid/List view app layout has been replaced with a menu option in the Settings app. Similarly, the Calendar view now has to be changed in Settings, while the gesture to change the Move goal in the Activity app is just another menu item. The Customize Watch Faces menu is now accessed with a long press.
Apple Watch Series 6 gains place
This somewhat surprising change is not new, however. Old hands will certainly remember the iPhone XR, which came with the Haptic Touch feature. This is essentially a feedback mechanism that was supposed to replace the well-known 3D Touch. The function is now supported on all new iPhone models. So we now know one thing for sure: the Apple Watch Series 6 will not support Force Touch. What Apple will do with the newly gained space under the display remains to be seen - a larger battery would certainly be an interesting addition. (Image: Apple)
