Last month, we reported that the Apple Watch boasted a secret port that could be used in the future to unlock cool accessories… and, maybe, jailbreak the Apple Watch. Later reports, though, indicated that this port was an Apple-only diagnostic port, that could be missing from retail models.
If that’s true, though, no one told Apple’s retail stores. The Apple Watch units available for try-on appointments at Apple Stores around the world still have the diagnostic port.
A reader of MacRumors, Louis, went in for a try-on session of the Apple Watch. During his session, he was able to slip off the band for his unit, and see that the diagnostic port was still hidden under the band. The retail staff didn’t seem to know anything about it, or how to access it.
What does it mean? It’s uncertain. Apple Stores might be getting prototype units in stock, with the diagnostic port still installed. My best bet, though, would be that this means that the diagnostic port will be on the retail models too, for troubleshooting purposes. How long until jailbreakers start trying to hack into the Apple Watch through it?
Source: MacRumors
John Brownlee is a writer for Fast Company, and a contributing writer here at CoM. He has also written for Wired, Playboy, Boing Boing, Popular Mechanics, VentureBeat, and Gizmodo. He lives in Boston with his wife and two parakeets. You can follow him here on Twitter.
5 responses to “The retail Apple Watch may still have its secret port”
Grubbers review model had the port coverd with metal. Don’t know if it could be pried open though
maybe…..maybe it’s for indie devs to buy and test their apps on?
If you watch the ‘Steel’ video from Apple, you can see the ports!
Hopefully 1st gen Watches will therefore be compatible with that battery cell bracelet that Apple patented awhile back.
Is it not incredibly obvious that this ‘diagnostic port’ is used to validate Apple brand Watch bands so Apple can tightly control how its watch is displayed? Apple is going to make a killing selling the watch bands, they are likely really high margin accessories.