watchOS 7 will remind you to wash your hands properly

Nothing screams sign of the times quite like having a necessary and "handy" new feature coming to watchOS 7. During its WWDC 2020 announcement, Apple revealed that it'll be using machine learning to determine when you are washing your hands. When it detects that you are, it'll then set a 20-second timer that you'll see show up as you wash your hands. If you stop before the 20 seconds are over, it'll remind you to continue. You'll also see and feel when you've completed your handwashing. With the COVID-19 pandemic still raging on, this feature is a much-needed one.

But that isn't all that's coming to watchOS 7. It's also finally getting sleep-tracking features as well as a new Wind Down mode to help you get to bed on time. It can even help power down your device for you and set your Apple Watch to dim, so it doesn't disturb your sleep. When you wake up, you'll see a visualization of your night's sleep, which includes the times when you're awake or asleep and your weekly sleep trends.

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Google Assistant tests broadcast feature for specific rooms

Right now, when you use Google Assistant's Broadcast feature, it's an all-or-nothing affair. It will broadcast your message to all Google Assistant-supported speakers your account is linked to. But Google seems to be testing a way that it'll just broadcast to a specified room.

9to5Google reports that this seems to be an A/B test of the feature. Users will need to say something like, "Hey Google, broadcast a message to living room, the food is ready." And then Google will broadcast this message to the speakers located in the living room. It'll be handy for things like calling your kids down for dinner. But since it's being tested, the feature isn't available widely yet. Here's to hoping Google rolls this one out soon.

These iPhone, Apple Watch models will support CarKey

One of the newest features of iOS 14 turns your iPhone (or Apple Watch) into a car key. This CarKey feature is coming to iOS 14 and even iOS 13 users, allowing you to lock, unlock, and start compatible cars. But just because your device runs on iOS 14 or watchOS 7 doesn't mean it can support it.

CarKey makes use of NFC technology to communicate with the car. During the initial process, the iPhone or Apple Watch needs to be placed on top of the NFC reader in the car. It'll be accessible via the Wallet app. Once set up, CarKey should work without having to unlock your device or open any app. But that means your device needs Background Tag Reading tech, which is only available on the iPhone XR and later. And so this feature will only work with the iPhone XR, iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone 11 Pro Max, and iPhone SE (2nd-gen).

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Apple AirPods get automatic switching, 'Spatial Audio'

Apple adds some new features for its AirPods earbuds, which it announced at this year's Worldwide Developers Conference. One useful addition is automatic switching. As the name suggests, it automatically switches audio inputs based on the Apple device you're using through your iCloud account. So, from your iPhone to your iPad to your Mac, it'll be a seamless transition. And if you get a call on your iPhone, then it'll automatically switch back to your phone. The feature is coming to the AirPods Pro, second-generation AirPods, Powerbeats, Powerbeats Pro, and Beats Solo Pro via a firmware update.

On top of that, the AirPods Pro is getting a new "Spatial Audio" feature. It provides 3D, surround sound-like audio for these earbuds to offer what Apple calls a "movie theatre experience." The AirPods Pro will continuously recalibrate according to the position of your head as well as how you position your device.

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