Apple Watch

With WatchOS 26 on the way, Graham Barlow is looking for a real workout buddy

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THE HIGHLIGHT FEATURE of the new Apple Watch software, watchOS 26, which was previewed at WWDC this year, is Workout Buddy, an AI-powered coach designed to motivate you to hit your targets, exceed your goals, and generally get you moving.

Workout Buddy analyzes the data from previous workouts and vast amounts of your fitness history, like paces, distance logged, Activity rings closed, etc, to identify real insights on your performance in real time. It then hits you with all your latest achievements by whispering motivational messages in your ear (assuming you're wearing Apple AirPods).

Speaking to TechRadar, Jay Blahnik, Apple’s VP of Fitness Technologies, said, “We think of this not as a coach pushing you, but about motivating you based on what you have done, and what you’re about to do.”