Neil Hughes
In a potential sign that new Apple Watch hardware could be around the corner, Apple's newly released iOS 9.3 beta gives developers the ability to pair multiple Apple Watches with an iPhone.
In the release notes for iOS 9.3 beta 1, Apple reveals that the Apple Watch app can pair with multiple watches at a time. This requires that the Apple Watch also be running watchOS 2.2, the first beta of which was also released on Monday.
Apple didn't explain why users might want to connect multiple Apple Watches to an iPhone, but it's easy to see why the capability might be advantageous from a developer's perspective. Connecting multiple Apple Watches to a single iPhone would allow a developer to more easily test their applications and see how they behave, without the need for multiple iPhones.
Of course, this ability would take on even more significance if Apple were to release a new Apple Watch with revamped hardware. Presumably, the ability to connect multiple watches to an iPhone would allow a developer to test their apps on faster second-generation hardware, alongside first-generation units.
It's unknown if Apple plans to offer multi-watch support to end users whenever iOS 9.3 publicly launches. But doing so could allow some of Apple's more affluent and fashion-conscious consumers to own multiple styles and colors for different occasions.
AppleInsider Staff
Malcolm Owen
Oliver Haslam
Andrew O'Hara
Wesley Hilliard
William Gallagher
Christine McKee
19 Comments
Thank god, I'm so sick of having to pair each of my Apple Watches Editions every morning.
Please, update the post iOS 9.3 looks to be an interesting update with lots of new features, some of them looks interesting. And there's also a tvOS update too, also with new features that would please many.
Yup. Been predicting this since the beginning. The Hermes edition more or less confirmed this would happen.
Hard to imagine why anyone would need the reason explicitly outlined to them.
Not sure why it confirms new watches are coming...I bought a silver watch and a black watch and it's a pain changing between the two.
Here's a couple. For me, not trashing your expensive leather band while working out. I have the modern buckle (quite an expensive band) and have no desire to sweat on it when going to Bikram Yoga but want the tracking info. I usually take the time to change to a white sport band but I'd much rather get an aluminum sport and not have to switch bands.
Or, I don't want to ding my stainless watch when rock climbing so I'd rather have the aluminum on.
Also, battery life, so your watch didn't charge because it was slightly off-center on the charging base, grab your backup watch. Lame I know, but another reason to be able to pair with 2 watches.