Apple Watch's new watchOS 26 feature reignites my enthusiasm for the device
Apple's latest updates, unveiled at the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2025, are primarily focused on enhancing Apple Intelligence across various devices and services. One of the most anticipated features is the introduction of Workout Buddy for WatchOS 26, a new AI-powered fitness companion designed to help users push through tough workout sessions and recognize personal bests.
Workout Buddy offers encouragement, resources, and personalized coaching to help users achieve their fitness goals. It provides spoken information and motivational techniques during a workout, reading out key summary stats at the end of a session. The user's health data comes primarily from Apple Health and various devices they use, including continuous glucose monitors (CGM) for those with diabetes like the article's user.
Two of the customizable voices for motivational feedback are created by Apple Fitness+ trainers, adding a personal touch to the user's workout experience. However, it's important to note that Workout Buddy may not be useful for individuals with certain health conditions that limit their physical activity.
While Workout Buddy is not the AI doctor that Apple was reported to be working on, some analysts view it as a step towards AI being the next frontier in healthcare technology. The AI-powered health suite, should it be developed, could potentially include AI for diagnosing, reassuring, and pacifying patients. The user expresses excitement for the potential of an AI that can match activity levels with heart data, CGM information, and medical records to predict health outcomes, much like the AI in the movie i-Robot.
Apple's recent updates also focus on integrating AI to improve user experiences across various services, such as enhanced navigation in Apple Maps, improved listening experiences in Apple Music, and new features in Apple Wallet. However, there is no specific information on AI-powered health diagnosis assistants or personalized health recommendations in these updates.
As the world continues to explore the potential of AI in healthcare, the introduction of Workout Buddy marks an important step forward for Apple in the realm of fitness technology. Whether it serves as a precursor to Apple launching an AI-powered health suite remains to be seen, but for now, users can look forward to a more personalized and motivational workout experience with Workout Buddy.
The new AI-powered fitness companion, Workout Buddy, for WatchOS 26, draws from science and technology by leveraging Apple Intelligence to offer tailored coaching and motivational techniques during workouts, utilizing health data from smartphones, gadgets like continuous glucose monitors, and Apple Health. With voices customized by Apple Fitness+ trainers, Workout Buddy aims to revolutionize health-and-wellness and fitness-and-exercise, potentially being a step towards AI being the next frontier in health technology. While Workout Buddy may not replace an AI doctor, it could pave the way for future AI advancements in diagnosing, reassuring, and pacifying patients, as envisioned by some analysts.
