I got these crossed off my list:
- better watch faces, if not a FaceKit to allow third parties to make watch faces
- Support for intervals (time and/or distance based) in the running, biking, swimming workouts
Not sure yet about these:
- an option to get rid of the countdown in workouts
- messages in iCloud, so sync of message deletions, etc., with other devices on the Apple ID
- an option to allow notification sounds/vibrations/alerts to go to the watch, the phone, or both, on an app-by-app basis
- the ability to see Health aggregated data on the watch
- Custom ringtones and notification tones
- Small heart complication that shows the last recorded heart rate instead of just a heart with no data
- Seconds display in more of the digital watch faces
Another thing to remember is that when they introduce the new watches in September, they often introduce a new feature or two to go along with the new hardware features. So I don't think
we've heard the last of watchOS 9 additions just yet.
I only take one medication, but I know that will be a great feature. Fitness rings for iPhone users is probably a good feature and may catch those few extra move Calories that I miss when I am charging my watch in the morning after my workout and then an hour before bed. Sleep improvements look good as well. Thank you, Apple, for intervals - I use a separate interval timer now, so now I can do it right on the watch. (Yes, I know about apps like Intervals Pro, but I prefer the stock workouts app for its AOD support). Running power: I love that. The other advanced running stats: they would have been more important to me ten years ago, not so much now.
I do like the one new watch face (Metropolitan - it looks nicer than Meridian to me), plus the support for background colors on others. Astronomy looks ok, but I think one complication isn't enough for me most of the time.