Apple begins beta testing new audio intelligence for smartwatches

Apple has launched beta testing for two new audio processing features designed for the Apple Watch, aimed at helping users manage and recall information from conversations. The tools, introduced in the watchOS 27.3 beta on Nov. 2, 2026, were first announced alongside the Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4 in September.

The first feature, Live Rewind, allows users to view the last 15 seconds of a conversation as text on their watch face by double-pressing the Digital Crown. This text is temporary and will disappear 30 seconds after the display dims unless the user chooses to save it. The second feature, Siri Recap, provides summaries of discussions, highlighting specific details such as dates, deadlines, and prices. These summaries are configured to auto-delete after seven days unless manually saved by the user.

According to Apple, the processing for these tools is handled locally by the watch's S11 chip, a paired iPhone, and Private Cloud Compute. The company stated that no raw audio is stored or identified by speaker during these processes. During an earnings call on Nov.

Access to these features is currently restricted to the Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4, and requires a compatible iPhone with Apple Intelligence enabled. The tools are not available for use in the European Union. Apple intends to expand the beta to public testers before a general release in the coming months.