WatchOS 10 includes new topographic maps in the US (iOS 17 also offers offline maps on iPhones, with access to turn-by-turn directions on the watch). The compass app includes a new Elevation view with a 3D view of saved waypoints. Those waypoints also include two automatically generated waypoints: the Last Cellular Connection waypoint for checking messages or making a call, and the Last Emergency Call waypoint from which you can call for emergency assistance.

Spending lots of time outside—between 80 to 120 minutes, to be precise—has been linked to a number of positive mental and physical health outcomes for both adults and children. As such, Apple has a new feature called Ambient Daylight in WatchOS 10 that uses the ambient light sensor on the Apple Watch to measure how much time you spend outside.

Not only can you view your own data on your iPhone or iPad, but you can also keep track of how much time your children spend outside. If your children have Apple Watches, you can use Health Sharing in Family Setup to make sure they’re spending enough time outside as well. 

Finally, the Mindfulness app on the Apple Watch offers different shapes that let you record how you feel in the moment while offering the chance to identify factors that may be contributing to it. Apple says there's access to clinical-grade depression and anxiety assessments to help determine your risk level and if you should see a health care professional.

The Apple Watch is one of the most popular and easily-navigable smartwatches; however, that isn’t saying much. Flipping through data on a tiny screen is still hard and irritating. In WatchOS 10, things are getting a little better as you can flip through all your widgets on the Smart Stack. Simply turn the digital crown to scroll. If you still can’t find what you’re looking for, Apple's machine learning can help you identify which widget is most relevant at certain times. For example, if you’re traveling, your boarding passes will shuffle to the top.

Apps have also been redesigned to take better advantage of the screen. For example, you can scroll through the World Clock app to find the best time to call your friend overseas. You can also activate the Control Center just by pushing the side button.