Apple announced a new gesture control feature called Double Tap for the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 at its annual fall event on Tuesday. Double Tap allows you to control various system functions by tapping your thumb and index finger together twice in quick succession, without having to touch the display or free up your other hand.
Apple gave several examples of the feature in action:
- Answer or end calls
- Snooze alarms
- Play or pause music
- Start or stop timers
- Call up the Smart Stack, a new scrollable series of widgets in watchOS 10
Apple COO Jeff Williams said that Double Tap is especially useful for times when your other hand isn’t free, such as when walking a dog, carrying groceries, or working out. He added that Double Tap can also be used to call up the Smart Stack quickly and easily, without having to twist the Digital Crown.
Apple says that Double Tap is enabled by the faster Neural Engine S9 SIP, which is found in the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2. The Neural Engine “processes data from the accelerometer, gyroscope, and optical heart sensor with a new machine learning algorithm. The algorithm detects the unique signature of tiny wrist movements and changes in blood flow when the index finger and thumb perform a double tap.”
Apple says that Double Tap will be available in a software update next month for the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2. Older Apple Watch models will not be able to use Double Tap.
In addition to the benefits mentioned above, Double Tap also has the potential to improve accessibility for users with disabilities. For example, users with limited mobility may be able to use Double Tap to control their Apple Watch without having to use their hands at all.
Overall, Double Tap is a welcome new feature for the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2. It makes the watch more convenient to use and more accessible to users with disabilities. I’m excited to see how people use Double Tap in their everyday lives.
