​Apple Watch gets more seriously cool accessibility features

Apple has launched a bunch of new features for Apple Watch, aimed at those with accessibility needs.

First up is Apple Watch Mirroring, which enables the UI of the smartwatch to be mirrored on the iPhone.

That means that users can take advantage of using accessible features on iPhone to control key apps on the Apple Watch. That could be head tracking, voice control or external hardware, that enables those with upper body differences or motor disabilities.

The Mirroring feature can enable users to check the Heart app, take an ECG, use Walkie Talkie – or any app that resides exclusively on the Apple Watch.

Next up are new Quick Actions, which are being expanded to cover more features.

A double-pinch gesture while wearing the Apple Watch can now be mapped to a variety of features. It can to answer or end a phone call, dismiss a notification, play or pause media in the Now Playing app, and start/stop a workout session.

It’s part of the Assistive Touch suite of features that was rolled out for last year’s Global Accessibility Awareness Day. However, users will be able to enable Quick Actions, without turning on the full gamut of Assistive Touch.

Those features enable other gesture controls including clenching the fist, pinching fingers.

Perhaps coolest of all, shaking the wrist will summon a cursor (when Assistive Touch is enabled) which can be controlled by tilting the Apple Watch.

The Apple Watch is clearly a fantastic tool for able-bodied people – but it’s great that Apple is also working on bringing some of the smartwatches top health tracking features to those with disabilities and differences.

Last year, Assistive Touch landed on the new version of watchOS 8, that was unveiled at WWDC and landed in September.

So we could hear more about these features in June, and see them land with the Apple Watch Series 8 and Apple Watch SE 2.

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