SAN JOSE, Calif.—At its developer conference today, Apple described its new Apple Watch software features in detail. Called watchOS 6, the operating-system update adds new apps, watchfaces, and features that enhance the ways users are already putting their Apple Watches to good use.

Arguably the biggest update coming to the Apple Watch is the new on-watch App Store. In watchOS 6, you'll be able to browse, purchase, and download apps directly from the App Store on the Watch. That means users don't need to turn to their iPhones to download and install apps.

Going hand in hand with an on-watch App Store is the new ability for developers to make independent apps for the Apple Watch. Currently, all Apple Watch apps must have an iOS app installed on the Watch's paired iPhone in order for them to work on the Watch. In watchOS 6, developers will be able to populate the new on-watch App Store with apps that users can download and use immediately, without the need for yet another app on the paired iPhone.

To kick off the flow of new apps, Apple is bringing some of its most useful iOS apps to the Apple Watch. Voice Memos allows you to use the mic on your Watch to record thoughts on a whim, while the Calculator app helps you answer quick math problems as well as calculate tip amounts. Apple will also bring a new Audiobooks app to the Watch so you can listen to audiobooks purchased through Apple directly on your wrist. The Watch will become a better audio device with watchOS 6 thanks to the new streaming audio API as well.

















Apple has also added new health tracking aspects to the Watch's software. In watchOS 6, the new Cycle Tracking feature will let users track menstrual cycles by inputting symptoms and notes directly from the Watch's display. The on-watch app will let users see exactly where they are in the cycle using discrete icons and messages, and users can choose to receive fertility window notifications as well as other cycle alerts.

WatchOS 6 also introduces Activity Trends to the Watch and Activity app on iOS. The Apple Watch already tracks many health aspects including daily steps, exercise, and more—Activity Trends tries to put all that information in perspective. The feature will compare your health progress over the past 90 days with the last year's worth of data so it can then give you new suggestions on how to stay healthy and how to exercise more. If you're trending downward, Activity Trends can "coach" you with suggestions to get back on track.

Apple didn't show much of Activity Trends on the Watch itself, but it did show many renderings of the new features in the Activity iOS app. Previously, the Activity app was a receptacle for your move, exercise, and stand data. That data lived alongside goal badges and sharing features, but you otherwise didn't need to go to the Activity app to learn much if you were already using an Apple Watch. Activity Trends adds the most new information to the Activity iOS app that we've seen in a long time, and it may be enough for Apple Watch users to open it up more often in the future.

An interesting addition to watchOS 6 is the new Noise app, which will measure the decibel level of the environmental noise around you. The app can analyze the noise levels in your area and let you know if it's too loud and potentially dangerous for those concerned about hearing health. Apple made a point to note that the app doesn't record or save any audio it analyzes.

Apple hasn't given a release date for watchOS 6 yet (or a compatible device list), but it's safe to assume it will arrive on Apple Watch models this fall.