One Apple Watch accessory maker is planning to use the device's hidden diagnostic port
It looks like the hidden, 6-pin diagnostic port on the Apple Watch could lead to a new pack of accessories and other “smart” watch bands.
The makers of the Reserve Strap battery for the watch recently announced some interesting news on their site:
We’ve developed and tested a completely rethought design that takes advantage of the 6 pin port underneath the band slide of the Apple Watch. This port hadn’t been deciphered by anyone until now but we’ve been able to make significant enough observations so far to warrant shifting our development focus to this new method. We’re looking forward to sharing more design details and technical specification of this new Reserve Strap as soon as we can.
A revamped model of the backup battery will take advantage of the hidden port.
A previous design of the strap featured an inductive charging method.
The Reserve Strap can be preordered now directly from the company’s site for $249.99. No release date is currently known, but the company said that you can receive a refund at anytime.
Buyers will be able to select from a white, gray, or black version of the strap for either the 38mm or 42mm watch version.
It will be interesting to see if Apple will allow third-party companies to use the port or if it will be locked down with a future software update.
And if you’re interested in other Apple Watch accessories, take a look at my recent This Week in Accessories column.
For other recent Apple Watch news, see: New 42mm Apple Watch and Apple Watch Sport orders are now slated to arrive sometime in July, Kickstarted: Duet Dock offers iPhone and Apple Watch owners an elegant charging solution, and Cupertino confirms a problem with tattoos and Apple Watch.