WatchOS 9.4: here are the new features of the Apple Watch

Apple rolled out watchOS 9.4 on Monday, bringing Cycle Tracking and AFib features to more apple watch users, as well as fixing an alarm bug.

The update is coming to Series 4 or later models, SE And Ultra, bringing AFib History, which detects atrial fibrillation (irregular heartbeat), to more countries, including Colombia, Malaysia, Moldova, Thailand and Ukraine. Cycle Tracking, which tracks menstrual cycles, is also being extended to Moldova and Ukraine.

Wake-up alarms on the watch can no longer be silenced with the “cover to mute” gesture, which Apple says will help prevent accidental alarm cancellations while sleeping.

Apple also released iOS 16.4 for iPhone Monday, bringing new emoji and better call quality.

Today’s update is the fourth major update to come to watchOS 9. Launched in September, it brought visual improvements to better mimic the iPhone experience. It also gave people new ways to track their sleep with Sleep Stagesbrought a low power mode to extend battery life and gave improved telemetry for runners.

Apple’s continued development of watchOS has helped the The Apple Watch range dominates the connected watch market. Given how intimate the Apple Watch is to users, analysts say it’s the stickiest product in Apple’s ecosystemwhich makes it difficult for users to switch to other platforms such as Fitbit or Android’s Wear operating system.