Apple Stops Developers from using “Secret” Watch Repair Port
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Via: MacNN.com:
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A change in watchOS 2 has disabled a “secret” repair port that is located inside the band attachment slot in the Apple Watch, which has also killed off the business model of Reserve Strap, which offered a “battery pack” watch strap that could extend the battery life of the Watch by taking advantage of the port. The company has suspended shipments of the strap to customers who have upgraded, but is urging fans to encourage Apple to license such uses that take advantage of the port in a future MFi Apple Watch program.
The licensed accessory program, which is widely used for other iOS accessories, has not come to the Apple Watch yet, leaving most accessory makers unable to take advantage of some features, such as their own designs for the magnetic charger (some companies have simply included one of Apple’s at their own expense). Apple has been awarded a patent for “functional band links for wearable devices,” which could suggest it may someday take advantage of the port itself for something similar to the Reserve Strap, or perhaps develop bands with additional sensors that would draw power and report results using the “secret” port.
“For the time being, Apple has suspended use of this port until they unveil an official MFi program for Watch,” Reserve Strap said in a statement, holding out hope that it would be allowed to start selling the Reserve Strap again if Apple initiates a Watch-based MFi program. The Reserve Strap continues to work for Apple Watches that have not been upgraded, and extends the (typical use) 18-hour lifespan of the Apple Watch battery by up to 50 percent.
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