“A report on Thursday claims the upcoming Apple Watch boasts a mysterious data connection port, previously undisclosed by Apple, that is currently being used for diagnostics and testing,” AppleInsider reports.
“According to TechCrunch, the port features six brass contact dots and is positioned inside the bottom groove designed to accept Apple’s aftermarket straps,” AppleInsider reports. “Technically, a six-contact connector is similar to Apple’s Lightning protocol, which currently uses six of its eight leads for charging and data transfer.”
“A source said the port currently plays a role in diagnostics, but points out that it could be used as a connection point for accessories in the future,” AppleInsider reports. “TechCrunch speculates that such a data port could be used as a means to facilitate feature expansion, perhaps ‘smart bands’ that extend battery life or tack on GPS and other sensing capabilities.”
Read more in the full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: Oh yes, let there be add-on GPS, battery extenders, and more! The thought of wearing our Apple Watch Sports but also having to lug around our iPhones on runs just for the GPS is unpalatable.
Nope. This is most likely for the future armband that has battery cells built into it, in order to boost the watch’s built-in capacity. There was a patent that Apple filed on it a while ago.
A watch band with extra power is more useful than the mystery port on the ATV3.
/s
The Cult of Mac ran an article about one of the possible accessories.
“The Wankband aims to be the Apple Watch of masturbation”.
http://www.cultofmac.com/314287/wankband-aims-apple-watch-masturbation/
It turns kinetic motion into electrical power. While this article appears to be a gag… it does highlight what is currently, technologically possible if Apple does include those contacts on the shipping model.
this port won’t be included on shipping units.
it’s part of a testing distribution used for diagnostics, FSH, PLUM, BUN, and other evaluation services.
You seem to have gotten your second WND, squiggles.
VERY forward-thinking bit of detail. Part of the iPhone “ecosystem” (and for iPod previously) is the abundance of third-party accessories. This “port” allows functional accessories for Apple Watch, not just “static” ones like third-party bands. The possibilities are endless… Wow 🙂
Get ready for the radiation burns.
Woke up last night at 2:40 pm. Was dreaming of the Watch.
Obvious meet self evident. In other news, the fact that my car has nuts and bolts means I might be able to add accessories.
It’s not that government back door is it?
Hmmm, how about addt’l battery power in the band?
Awesome!! Allows for so creativity !
Correction..Allows for so much creativity ! 8-/
MDN .. A Note about your take on lack of GPS.
I don’t think gps is a critical “make it or break it” feature thats missing from the Apples watch… Unless one needs very precise distance measurements or a way to track their path on a map realtime and does not want to carry a phone!
I believe algorithms and inertia measurements through the accelerometer, and personal calibration can provide satisfactory information regarding distances and more just through the watch .
As far as tacking ones path in the woods.. Well if i were to go off the beaten path.. I would prefer to have my communication device with me anyways!
Thoughs welcome…..
Agree; GPS is not necessary. You already know the rout you are running, and the watch can perfectly measure your distance and heartbeats.
Who says I know the route? Maybe I’d like to go wherever the moment takes me. GPS will be a very welcome addition.
MDN doesn’t think it’s “make or break” either, just unpalatable. I concur. I don’t want to have to draw a map of every run I take, and I’d prefer not to have to take my phone.
“I don’t want to have to draw a map of every run I take”
Did you ever try the Footpath app for iPhone and iPad. It has functions like snap-to-road, gives accurate distance and elevation data, and a contour profile that’s awesome for planning runs and hikes. I hope this developer is planning an Apple Watch app because they seem to get things right.
That’s specifically for the Chinese Government.
Brass contacts? Wouldn’t they more likely be gold?
(I don’t know, I’m asking any experts here.)
If, as has been suggested/pointed out above, this is just a prototype, brass is fine. It’s not a finished product expected to last for years, just for the test period.
Bio-interface. You will be assimilated.
…and you will enjoy it.
We are the Borg.
Before you get too excited, … other reports say that although the port is there on pre-production watches, it won’t be there on production units shipped to customers.
http://9to5mac.com/2015/03/05/apple-watch-has-a-lightning-port-for-development-but-wont-when-it-ships/
They will connect to large brass spheres.
The port is for connecting to a full sized keyboard. How are you going to email from the watch workout one? 😉😀
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