I’ve been pretty neutral about the changes on watchOS 10. I understood that people don’t like changes -
but it’s been 2 months now and I still try to bring up the control center the old way, I still try to access my most recently used apps the old way and I’m still annoyed by having submenus everywhere where watchOS 9 was straightforward with everything. watchOS 10 is the most unintuitive Apple experience I ever had.
Old top menu bar, one line leaving space for the actual content
New top menu bar with huge buttons at the top, pushing down the actual content
Probably the worst part on my 40mm SE is that the colorful backgrounds made all app icons on watch faces smaller (there has recently been a post about this) and I keep missing icons when clicking them. I sometimes need to click an icon 4 times until it registers, along with the colorful backgrounds and unnecessarily huge flashy other buttons this feels like a $50 knockoff Watch to me now.
Also what did they think when changing the menu bar at the top? It used to be one small line (picture 1) but now on my 40mm Watch about 1 fourth of the screen is covered by each app’s title or clock (picture 2). I know what app I’m in, I don’t need half the screen (exaggerating yes) covered to be reminded of the app I’m using.
watchOS 10 must’ve been designed by someone who doesn’t really use their Apple Watch much I assume. I’m not blaming them, everyone can make mistakes when the goal was progress but it’s not like a mistake has to be set in stone. Just roll it back or give us a choice between design and functionality - I personally prefer functionality, it’s not like watchOS 9 was so ugly that it needed a re-design to begin with.
I feel your pain and I’m in the pain, too. In the old design, one can zoom in the app grids, but not WatchOS 10. But even without zooming in, the old app icons are bigger (yes only small changes, but noticeable), so I could click on the app I want. Every time. Not on the WatchOS 10! To start training, I have to at least click twice, yes every time! The weird thing is other app like the watch is not affected, but many are. At my age, working on the watch is hard enough without my glasses, but with WatchOS 10, it becomes a burden. Apple’s product should just work. That’s the compelling design philosophy of Steve Jobs! But not any more. I hate the feeling of having to fumble about. And I can not understand why the apps need second to start and response.
I don’t see any benefit of the new design, only trouble and annoyance. I cannot think of any other reason than it’s the Apple way to force its customers to buy new a watch :( I just wish I can roll back!