Apple announces watchOS 5, allowing you to compete with friends

Today kicks off Apple's Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC), and as it does every year, the company introduced the next major updates for all of its operating systems. Along with iOS 12, it's also announced watchOS 5, with a variety of new features for Apple Watch devices.

As usual, there are lots of new features that have to do with fitness tracking, and one of those features is Competitions. You can now challenge your friends if they share their activity.

There's also a new Hiking activity, and the running activity lets you see your cadence now.

But another thing that's cool is that your Apple Watch will automatically detect when you start and end your workout. If you start working out and forget to start the activity on your Watch, it will ask you if you want to start one, retroactively crediting you for the work you already put in.

There's also a new Walkie-Talkie app, which does exactly what it sounds like. All you'll need to do is send an invitation to a friend, and once they accept it, you can talk whenever you want.

Apple is making some improvements to its Siri watch face. It will support Shortcuts that were announced for iOS 12, and you'll also be able to finally include third-party apps to the face.

Another new feature with Siri is that you no longer have to say "Hey, Siri". All you'll have to do is raise the Watch and ask it something.

Apple Watch first launched with the ability to sync music so that you can play it offline, but here we are years later, and the company is finally launching a Podcasts app. Now, you'll be able to play your favorite podcasts without having your phone with you.

Another big change is that watchOS 5 supports WebKit. That means that you'll be able to view web content, and open links in messages without having to take out your phone. This all adds up to a Watch that's more of a standalone device.

But that's not all, because you'll be able to add student ID cards to your Apple Watch, and you'll be able to use it anywhere you can use your card.

watchOS 5 will be available this fall.