Apple Watch Contest Planned for Veterans Day on November 11

### Apple Watch Fitness Challenge: Veterans Day 2025

The forthcoming Apple Watch fitness challenge is set for Veterans Day on Tuesday, November 11th, 2025. These challenges aim to raise awareness of fitness functionalities and promote healthy lifestyles while celebrating important holidays and events.

Participants in the challenge have the opportunity to earn virtual rewards within the Fitness app on their iPhones, along with exclusive animated sticker packs for use in iMessage and FaceTime. This initiative not only inspires users to remain active but also cultivates a sense of community among Apple Watch owners.

For this year’s challenge, the criteria stay the same as in previous years: participants are required to complete any workout of at least 11 minutes on November 11. Users can monitor their workouts using the Workout app or any compatible application that works with Health.

Veterans Day acts as a day of appreciation for Americans who have served in the military, making it a significant time for this fitness challenge. Apple Watch fitness challenges are compatible with Apple’s Workout app and various third-party apps that record workout data into the Fitness/Health apps on the iPhone. Users will receive official notifications a few days ahead of the challenge, ensuring they are ready to join in.

In conclusion, the Veterans Day Apple Watch fitness challenge not only promotes physical activity but also pays tribute to those who have served, making it a meaningful occasion for both fitness lovers and veterans alike.

iOS 26.2 Brings Alarm and Timer Capabilities for Improved Reminder Handling

Apple has rolled out an eagerly awaited feature in the iOS 26.2 beta 1 for developers, enabling users to set alarms and timers directly within the Reminders app. This new capability is part of Apple’s continuous efforts to improve user experience and productivity.

### A Long-Desired Feature is Arriving

In the most recent beta, when users set a new reminder, they will observe an “Urgent” option that allows for the “scheduling of alarms and timers.” This functionality seems to be based on Apple’s new **AlarmKit** framework, which debuted in iOS 26. The AlarmKit framework is crafted to assist apps in effectively managing alarms and countdowns, aiding users in utilizing their time more efficiently.

Apple characterizes AlarmKit as a holistic solution for generating custom alarms and timers within applications. It provides various features, including:

– **Customizable schedules and user interfaces**: Developers can adapt the alarm experience to meet their app’s design and user preferences.
– **One-time and recurring alarms**: Users can establish alarms that trigger once or on a repeated schedule.
– **Countdown durations and snooze options**: The framework facilitates countdown timers and the choice to snooze alarms.
– **Alarm authorization handling**: AlarmKit takes care of the required permissions for scheduling alarms.
– **Support for traditional alarms and timers**: Developers can generate both types of notifications, offering flexibility in how users receive alerts.

This new feature is anticipated to enhance task management for users, simplifying the process of staying on top of crucial reminders and deadlines.

### Conclusion

The incorporation of alarm and timer capabilities into the Reminders app is a notable improvement for iOS users. As Apple works to fine-tune its software offerings, this feature meets a longstanding user demand and highlights the potential of the AlarmKit framework. Users are encouraged to try out this new feature and provide their feedback as it becomes accessible in upcoming updates.

Latest Enhancements and Modifications in iOS 26.2 Beta 1

# iOS 26.2 Beta 1: What’s New

iOS 26.2 beta 1 has arrived, introducing an array of changes and enhancements to iPhone software. Here’s a comprehensive overview of the main updates featured in this pre-release version.

## Sleep Score Changes

Apple has overhauled the Sleep Score functionality in its sleep tracking system. The top tier, formerly known as “Excellent,” has now been updated to “Very High.” Moreover, the thresholds for each category have been modified based on user insights, which suggested that the earlier scoring system was excessively broad and too optimistic.

[Read more about the change here.](https://9to5mac.com/2025/11/04/watchos-26-2-sleep-score-changes-apple-watch/)

## Apple Podcasts App Enhancements

Significant improvements have been made to the Apple Podcasts app through the adoption of AI technology. With iOS 26.2, the application can now autonomously create chapters, link to cited podcasts, and assemble show links, thus enriching the overall user experience.

[Read more about the updates here.](https://9to5mac.com/2025/11/04/ios-26-2-includes-three-helpful-upgrades-to-apple-podcasts-app/)

## Apple News Design

Following the substantial redesign of iOS 26, iOS 26.2 further enhances the Apple News app. Users will now discover quick links to trending sections, making navigation more straightforward and efficient.

[Read more about the design change here.](https://9to5mac.com/2025/11/04/ios-26-2s-apple-news-app-has-a-new-and-improved-design/)

## AirPods Live Translation in EU

Apple has revealed that the Live Translation feature for AirPods will launch in European Union countries starting in December. This rollout is anticipated to align with the official launch of iOS 26.2.

[Read more about the rollout plans here.](https://9to5mac.com/2025/11/04/airpods-live-translation-feature-coming-to-the-eu-next-month/)

## Liquid Glass Lock Screen Slider

An innovative Liquid Glass slider has been introduced, allowing users to modify the translucency of the Lock Screen clock. This feature is now compatible with all font styles, offering a more customized appearance.

iOS 26.2 Brings Three Fresh Features to the Apple Podcasts App

Apple is enhancing its built-in Podcasts app with three modifications beginning with iOS 26.2. The improvements consist of two fresh features and a significant upgrade to an already existing feature.

### Chapters

To start, Apple is now automatically creating podcast episode chapters for the first time. While Apple previously displayed and supported chapter markers within episodes, podcast producers were required to manually construct podcast chapter titles and timestamps. According to Apple, Podcasts in iOS 26.2 enables users to “easily navigate more episodes with automatically created chapters.” The effectiveness of this functionality will take time to evaluate.

### Podcast Mentions

Next, Apple is refining its approach to podcast discovery through word-of-mouth. Beginning with iOS 26.2, Apple Podcasts will offer the capability to “see and follow mentioned podcasts right from the player and transcript.” This feature is especially beneficial for listeners looking to delve into a referenced podcast show or episode without the inconvenience of searching for a link. If it operates as expected, it will present the referenced podcast link precisely when needed.

### From This Episode

Finally, Apple is tackling a frequent challenge faced by both podcasters and listeners. It is common for hosts to mention “links in the show notes” during episodes, yet accessing these links in a user-friendly manner can be challenging. Apple is launching the From This Episode feature, which will enable users to “quickly access the links shared in a podcast on the episode page.” At present, this feature supports limited functionality, but it represents just the initial beta release.

Apple will persist in tracking these features throughout the iOS 26.2 beta phase and provide updates as additional information becomes available.

Apple News App in iOS 26.2 Showcases Improved Design and User Interaction

Apple has unveiled the inaugural beta iteration of iOS 26.2, showcasing notable design enhancements to the News app to elevate user experience. This update illustrates the app’s transformation from a basic news aggregator into a versatile platform that encompasses a variety of features, including daily puzzles, culinary recipes, and specialized areas for sports and politics.

### Key Features of the iOS 26.2 News Update

Among the most significant alterations in the iOS 26.2 beta 1 are the addition of four new quick links situated at the top of the Today screen, which include:

– **Sports**
– **Puzzles**
– **Politics**
– **Food**

These quick links offer immediate access to their corresponding sections, simplifying navigation and minimizing the number of taps required to access popular content.

In a thoughtful redesign, the Sports segment has been relocated from the bottom tab bar to the new top menu row, facilitating the introduction of a new ‘Following’ navigation tab. This tab merges features that were formerly available through the Search button, delivering a more structured and intuitive browsing experience.

When users select Search, they will now see search suggestions akin to those available in other Apple services, such as Music and TV, simplifying the process of discovering content suited to their interests.

### Overall Impact

Although the core appearance of the News app remains mostly untouched, the enhancements to navigation and the accessibility of favored features signify a considerable upgrade for frequent users. The design modifications aim to boost user engagement by facilitating the discovery and enjoyment of a broader range of content.

As users navigate the new features, feedback regarding the design changes is welcomed, underscoring the continuous progression of the Apple News app in alignment with user requirements and preferences.