The Apple Watch Ultra will be launched later this week and will be more rugged. The $799 watch has a third button called the action button. You'll be able to use it in a variety of ways.
The pill-shaped Action button can be found on the left side of the Apple Watch Ultra's titanium case in between the dual speakers and the sirens.
The built-in 86-decibel sirens can be heard from up to 600 feet (180 meters) away if you press and hold the action button.
The Apple Watch Ultra's Action button can be configured to perform a variety of functions. They can change this choice in the settings section.
Backtrack, starting a workout, and beginning a dive are some of the ways the button can be configured to do.
The action button can be assigned to system-level functions, such as turning the Flashlight on and off, marking a compass waypoint, or starting the stopwatch. The current function can be paused by pressing the Action and Side buttons at the same time.
The ability to control smart home accessories is one of the things that Apple Watch Ultra users will be able to do with the ability to assign Shortcuts to it.
Assigning a dedicated Shortcut to the Action button could also pave the way for additional, adaptive functionality. For instance, Shortcuts with location- or time-based actions could allow the Action button to perform different functions throughout the day.The Apple Watch Ultra’s Action Button is powered by some awesome new App Intents APIs. You will be able to build your own apps to integrate with it, like a hockey app that uses the button to record goals! And for users, the button can kick off any Shortcut you want! — Michael Gorbach (@mgorbach) September 7, 2022
Depending on what app the Action button is being used to control, Apple Watch Ultra users will be able to choose additional actions.
Apple envisions people using the Action button without looking at the screen, so a subsequent button press should flow logically from the first press.
A workout app could allow the user to start a triathlon with the first button press and then switch to another segment with a second button press.
Since watchOS 9 reserves this interaction for the emergencySOS feature, apps won't be able to assign functions to long presses of the Action button.
The addition of a third physical control to the Apple Watch Ultra doesn't just allow quick access to a range of system-supplied functions. Third-party developers will be given a tool that will allow them to bring key app features to users at the press of a button.
Whether Apple intends to bring the Action button to its more affordable Apple Watch Series models in the future is an intriguing question, the answer to which may depend on just how versatile and indispensable it proves to be.
Trail, Ocean, and Alpine band options are available for the Apple Watch Ultra. The new watch can be pre-ordered now and will be available on September 23. If you want to learn more about the Apple Watch Ultra's design and features, be sure to check us out.
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