watchOS 4.3 update for Apple Watch arrives with new portrait Nightstand mode, iPhone music browsing

Apple on Thursday released watchOS 4.3 for the Apple Watch, giving the wearable device new features like a portrait Nightstand mode and aesthetic user interface changes, along with the return of the previously-removed ability to browse an iPhone music catalog.

The final public release of watchOS 4.3 follows after six beta builds were issued to public testers and developers, and almost two weeks after the most recent beta shipped for testing.

Initially Apple Watch users will see smaller changes to the appearance of watchOS with refreshed system graphics and other convenience functions, including a new battery charging animation. Users who charge the Apple Watch on a vertical stand can use a new portrait view of Nightstand, showing the display in the correct orientation.

Appearing to largely consist of smaller improvements, there is one standout feature that has arrived in the new firmware, one that was removed with watchOS 4 last September. The update once again allows users to look through the music catalog located on a connected iPhone.

The reinstated controls, seen in the first watchOS 4.3 beta, allow users to access, browse, and control playback of the iPhone's music library. The controls also let users "love" and "dislike" songs, delete tracks, and route audio to AirPlay devices.

The update to watchOS 4.3 can be installed via the Apple Watch app for iPhone.

The previous update to watchOS, which brought it up to version 4.2, enabled support for Apple Pay Cash. The update allowed users to quickly authorize and send payments using the facility directly from their wrist, without needing to use an iPhone.