Apple Watch diagnostic port can be used for charging, accessory makers say
Third parties are able to use the small diagnostic port hidden inside one of the Apple Watch's lugs to charge the device, according to one accessory maker, opening up the possibility of a "Made for Apple Watch" program down the line.
A proposed charging band design
"Our engineers have been able to independently confirm that the 6 pin diagnostic port underneath the Apple Watch case can be used for charging," the designers of battery band Reserve Strap wrote in a recent website update. This is undocumented functionality, and there is no word on whether Apple will allow continued access via the port.
If Apple does allow development of accessories such as the Reserve Band to continue, it could presage the introduction of a "Made for Apple Watch" program akin to the "Made for iPhone" program that licenses access to the Lightning connector. This is exactly the scenario envisioned when word of the diagnostic port's existence first surfaced earlier this year.
Alternatively, Apple could restrict the use of the diagnostic port via a software or firmware update. This is more in line with the company's stance on iOS-connected accessories, where Apple seeks a modicum of control over the quality of its ecosystem.
Apple has yet to publicly discuss the Apple Watch's diagnostic port or its uses.
A proposed charging band design
"Our engineers have been able to independently confirm that the 6 pin diagnostic port underneath the Apple Watch case can be used for charging," the designers of battery band Reserve Strap wrote in a recent website update. This is undocumented functionality, and there is no word on whether Apple will allow continued access via the port.
If Apple does allow development of accessories such as the Reserve Band to continue, it could presage the introduction of a "Made for Apple Watch" program akin to the "Made for iPhone" program that licenses access to the Lightning connector. This is exactly the scenario envisioned when word of the diagnostic port's existence first surfaced earlier this year.
Alternatively, Apple could restrict the use of the diagnostic port via a software or firmware update. This is more in line with the company's stance on iOS-connected accessories, where Apple seeks a modicum of control over the quality of its ecosystem.
Apple has yet to publicly discuss the Apple Watch's diagnostic port or its uses.
Comments
And cool too. Now you can get your band/extended battery.
Great idea.
Apple is trying to move into a wireless world (look at the new Macbook). I would not be surprised if this port is for low-level diagnostics for bricked watches only.
I suggest that it's for diagnostic purposes - as its name suggests. What's all the fuss about?
Apple probably designed it to also charge so that a tech can just deal with one cable when he's diagnosing it.
The added size would also allow larger motherboard and more independent ability away from the phone unit. Bigger speaker too.
Even without this couldn't you make a strap that charges it? Because it's designed to be charged inductively, without any sort of connection.
"Apple don't take a dump without having a plan, son."
Thanks Fred.
So wait...it is not a Lightning port?
Even without this couldn't you make a strap that charges it? Because it's designed to be charged inductively, without any sort of connection.
Yes, that was Reserve Strap's original plan, but using the diagnostic port is much more efficient on top of not blocking the wrist/HR sensor.
A battery band would make the watch a viable sleep tracker in addition to targeting people with daytime "range anxiety". I would buy two...
My AppleWatch has been consistently showing 25%-30% at the end of a typical 17- to 18-hour day.
I've noticed that it has actually got better in the past ten days! Weird.
Manufacturers found that they could make boards for it that added functionality. Apple removed it with the second iteration of the machines. That fact that they covered this connector is likely telling everyone that it's not intended for third party use.
While it would most likely make it more difficult for Apple to do whatever testing they use this for, they would probably remove it if they weren't happy about it being used by others, for uses it wasn't intended for.
So I wouldn't be too thrilled, just yet, about third parties having ideas for its use.
Most people don't remember, or weren't around when the first iMacs came out, that there was a connector inside that Apple used for diagnostics there as well.
Manufacturers found that they could make boards for it that added functionality. Apple removed it with the second iteration of the machines. That fact that they covered this connector is likely telling everyone that it's not intended for third party use.
While it would most likely make it more difficult for Apple to do whatever testing they use this for, they would probably remove it if they weren't happy about it being used by others, for uses it wasn't intended for.
So I wouldn't be too thrilled, just yet, about third parties having ideas for its use.
Yet.
I'm not actually sure Apple even officially acknowledges the existence of the port, much less signal their plans for it. That iMac port might have had a whole host of plans associated with it, but they were scrapped on the second iteration as Apple saw the progress of the device.
This will be interesting to play out. Apple has a host of patents on the Apple Watch, not the least of which is a design patent on the attach mechanism. They have essentially three choices:
1. Turn a blind eye to the infringing devices that are sure to appear;
2. License the technology "Made for Apple Watch" as the article suggests;
3. Quietly monitor infringers to see if there are real damages to the Apple Watch profitability and branding and act against them, either with a legal challenge or acquisition.
Interestingly, I'm fairly sure that Apple can completely control that port via firmware updates. Pretty sure they can make the Watch non-responsive to any device they feel isn't "appropriate."
While it would most likely make it more difficult for Apple to do whatever testing they use this for, they would probably remove it if they weren't happy about it being used by others, for uses it wasn't intended for.
A computer is very different from a sealed watch or other appliance. Without the internal iMac port, you can still load the OS. How is Apple going to repair a botched software upgrade, for example? Even the Apple TV has the USB external data port.
sleep tracking would be interesting, but the strap would have to provide an additional entire day of use so that you could charge it every second night. if it only gets you thru the night then youre forced to take it off to charge for an hour or two the next day, losing activity tracking -- which you can already do today by taking it off and charging before bed.
My AppleWatch has been consistently showing 25%-30% at the end of a typical 17- to 18-hour day.
I've noticed that it has actually got better in the past ten days! Weird.
What size watch do you have?