We were a little skeptical (and sarcastic) when we heard that Apple was trying out a feature in iOS 9.3 and watchOS 2.2 that will let Apple Watch owners pair multiple devices to one iPhone, but some new details have us rethinking our position.
The feature, reportedly called “Auto Switch,” does exactly that, and based on what we’ve heard, it could very well not just be for developers.
AppleInsider has the details, which have emerged since the developer beta for both the iPhone and Apple Watch’s upcoming firmware updates dropped yesterday.
Auto Switch only works on devices running both beta versions of watchOS 2.2 and iOS 9.3, and it reportedly creates a list within the Apple Watch app of all of the wearables you’ve paired. The “auto” part comes in when you go to swap one out: Your phone automatically selects which device it’s using as soon as you strap it on and wake it up. It apparently also includes thumbnails of your different Apple Watches so that you can even try out different complications and faces for each one.
We weren’t sure that the multi-pairing feature was going to make it out of the beta since it made way more sense to us that it was for developer use only. We assumed that the feature would help streamline developers’ work on apps for multiple sizes, models, and even hardware types. But considering the new reports, including the suggestion that Apple even bothered to name the thing, it sounds like the company does, in fact, expect that people will own more than one Apple Watch.
What’s more, we can imagine ways that this could actually be useful. It does mean that if the next iteration of Apple Watch does, in fact, launch in the next few months, current owners won’t have as much reason to get rid of the ones they have now. And let’s face it: If you’re going to pay at least $350 for a watch, you might want to wear it longer than a year.
We assume many users will plan on selling or trading in their originals to help with the cost of the new model, but it could also be a convenient way to have multiple colors and styles at your disposal. And that’s especially true if the Apple Watch gets a price drop alongside the release of the new version.
Evan Killham is a freelance writer who lives in Nebraska and isn’t interested in football, so he has plenty of time to play and think about video games. He has written for Bitmob and GamesBeat and sometimes, he even goes outside. But not too often because he’s heard there are bees out there. Occasionally, companies send free units for review. Evan subscribes to Cult of Mac’s Reviews Policy and also does not keep the items he receives for possible coverage.
8 responses to “Apple assumes you’ll own more than one Apple Watch”
I wonder
I wonder how Apple/developers will setup continuity between two (or more) watches and one phone – specifically for activity and workouts.
It would also be cool if they develop feature specific models in the future like an extended battery/waterproof model for vacations away from chargers, and the full featured Apple Watch for normal day to day.
Nonsense, it assumes your wife with an android phone would love to have an apple watch too.
Could they be coming out with a cheaper model (using the parts from the current model like they have done with the iPhone)? Although I think (for now) I know more people who have two iPhones (work/personal). There does not seem to be a way to get a watch to work with two phones which I think would be much more useful.
This feature is for someone who has the Edition, but who doesn’t want to wear it to the gym.
No “Edition” but Stainless steel and “Sport”. :)
Pairing more than one AppleWatch for me is a no brainer. I was very disapointent about this limitation.
I would think this more to remedy any inconvenience for somebody that just owns more than one style. I’m sure it’s a pain to have to keep pairing watch to phone. This way someone could have different colors or perhaps a Gold “Going out” watch and perhaps a Sports Watch for exercise and seamlessly switch between the two. Don’t get me wrong, even the cheapest Apple Watch is out of my price range but i can totally envision this scenario with anyone that is able to easily afford more than one build type.
that’s my two cents. I don’t think Apple expects people to buy more than one watch but maybe is making it less of an inconvenience to those that do have more than one.