Sam Oliver
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.
"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.
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36 Comments
As I mentioned previous. This was so obvious. And cool too. Now you can get your band/extended battery. Great idea.
Difficult to troubleshoot a device that is wireless-only. Sometimes you need hard, direct access as a device is booting. 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'd wait until Apple authorizes this, you don't want them removing the functionality in an update. Apple probably designed it to also charge so that a tech can just deal with one cable when he's diagnosing it.
A battery band would make the watch a viable sleep tracker in addition to targeting people with daytime "range anxiety". I would buy two...
But there's more. When we were developing a wrist communicator and then a wrist tricorder for the Star Trek movie series, we found the need for a larger screen. Not only for films' sake but for the logic of the instrument itself. The Apple Watch is too small too. So here we go to the Mod look with a larger band and screen to match with extra buttons too as well as a power cell in the band concept in addition to battery life and solar cell. The added size would also allow larger motherboard and more independent ability away from the phone unit. Bigger speaker too.