Key Takeaways:
- Apple has released watchOS 26 beta 2, expanding Apple Intelligence features to the Apple Watch.
- The update includes a new AI-powered Workout Buddy, smart gesture control, and contextual enhancements to Smart Stack.
- Live Translation, a new Notes app, and on-device call screening are also featured.
- The update introduces a “Liquid Glass” visual design across the watch interface.
- Apple Intelligence features require an iPhone 15 Pro or newer and will roll out to eligible watches later this year.
Apple’s second developer beta of watchOS 26 is now available, offering a closer look at how Apple Intelligence is being integrated into the Apple Watch ecosystem. This beta lays the groundwork for a public release expected this fall, and introduces new features that reflect Apple’s broader design and AI strategy.
One of the standout additions is Workout Buddy, a generative AI fitness assistant designed to offer in-the-moment coaching and personalized workout feedback. The assistant adjusts to real-time performance data like heart rate and pace, offering encouragement or pace changes depending on the user’s behavior. For now, Workout Buddy requires pairing with an iPhone 15 Pro or newer due to its on-device AI processing requirements.
Another core upgrade is the visual redesign of the watchOS interface, dubbed Liquid Glass. It brings semi-transparent, frosted elements to key UI surfaces like Control Center, Smart Stack, and app overlays, contributing to a lighter, more unified look across Apple’s software platforms.
Apple also introduced a new gesture-based control feature. A flick of the wrist—tilting the arm away and snapping it back—now dismisses notifications and calls. This hands-free action is available on newer models like the Apple Watch Series 9, Series 10, and Ultra 2, making interaction easier when the screen isn’t accessible.
The Smart Stack gains greater contextual awareness in beta 2, suggesting widgets like weather or health data when most relevant—such as surf conditions before a scheduled ocean swim or pre-loading timers for workout sessions. This change signals Apple’s growing use of ambient intelligence on wearable devices.
Live Translation also makes its debut, allowing users to translate spoken phrases in real time directly on the watch. This feature is intended for travel, multilingual work environments, or quick conversations in a second language, and is processed entirely on device for privacy.
A new full-featured Notes app lets users view, edit, and create notes directly on the watch, including synced entries from their iPhone or Mac. Combined with dictation and voice-to-text improvements, the Notes app increases the standalone productivity potential of the Apple Watch.
Other features include automatic volume adjustment based on ambient noise levels and Hold Assist, which monitors long phone calls—such as customer service wait times—and notifies the user when a real person picks up.
Apple Intelligence features are hardware-limited to the latest-generation devices, a pattern seen across Apple’s platforms this year. While watchOS 26 will run on the Apple Watch Series 6 and newer, Apple Intelligence components require hardware with the latest Neural Engine.
Developers testing beta 2 are also gaining access to additional AI-driven APIs, laying the groundwork for third-party app support of Apple Intelligence tools later in the year.
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Rich Tehrani serves as CEO of TMC and chairman of ITEXPO #TECHSUPERSHOW Feb 10-12, 2026 and is CEO of RT Advisors and is a Registered Representative (investment banker) with and offering securities through Four Points Capital Partners LLC (Four Points) (Member FINRA/SIPC). He handles capital/debt raises as well as M&A. RT Advisors is not owned by Four Points.
The above is not an endorsement or recommendation to buy/sell any security or sector mentioned. No companies mentioned above are current or past clients of RT Advisors.
The views and opinions expressed above are those of the participants. While believed to be reliable, the information has not been independently verified for accuracy. Any broad, general statements made herein are provided for context only and should not be construed as exhaustive or universally applicable.
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