The Apple Watch Series 10 now has a speaker for media playback, but why?

Apple unveiled its latest wearable tech today, the Apple Watch Series 10, which seems to have it all—sleep apnea detection, a brighter off-angle display, and even Titanium materials for those who need extra durability. But amidst the flurry of updates like 18-hour battery life, custom swim workouts, and a new Tides app for all you snorkel enthusiasts, one feature, in particular, provoked a raised eyebrow: speaker playback.

In a move that no one asked for, Apple has bestowed upon us mere mortals the ability to blast our favorite podcasts from our wrists. The new Apple Watch Series 10 now features a speaker for all your audio needs. To be fair, this is a feature that Android smartwatches have had for a long time. Still, I don’t know why anyone would want to listen to anything from their watch instead of their phone, laptop, or AirPods.

Apple assures us that despite shrinking the speakers’ size to improve battery life, sound quality remains unaffected. You can now enjoy your favorite true crime podcast while jogging, much to the delight (or horror) of everyone within a three-foot radius. Who needs AirPods when you can have your watch competing with traffic noise?

You could also watch videos on your watch, though I don’t know why you would want to. Nothing says “cinematic experience,” like squinting at a 1.5-inch screen and holding your wrist up to your ear. Thank you, Apple, for solving the problems I didn’t know I had.

Apple Watch Series 10

Best display to date • Upgraded health tracking

The 10th-gen Apple Watch Series.

The Apple Watch Series 10 marks a decade of innovation with a refreshed design, featuring slightly larger screen options, a thinner case, and a significant health upgrade with sleep apnea detection.