Apple launches certified watch band program
Apple is coming with a program for third parties that want to make watch bands for the Apple Watch. The company has put specifications and drawings of the Watch online for strap makers. Apple does not mention the ‘secret’ gate, which was recently discovered.
Apple has posted guidelines online for third-party tapes. For example, the document states that the straps must be able to withstand a certain amount of pulling force, have no sharp edges, and withstand a 72-hour salt test to see if the strap rusts quickly. In order not to interfere with the operation of the heart rate sensor, straps should have holes no more than 7mm apart so that the user can always fit the strap tight enough around the wrist.
In addition to requirements, the document also contains technical drawings of the Apple Watch showing the sizes of the watch. However, the ‘secret’ port discovered a few days ago on the bottom of the watch is not mentioned in the specs. According to Reserve Strap, which wants to release its own band for the Watch, the port could be used for charging the Watch. Since the port isn’t mentioned, it doesn’t seem like band manufacturers will be able to officially use the port. The document also prohibits the integration of a magnetic charger in a watch strap.
The “Made for Watch” program is similar to the “Made for iPhone/iPod/iPad” program that has been around for some time for makers of some accessories for those devices. Anyone who takes a license from Apple can use an official logo if the product can pass certain tests. The Apple Watch band guidelines document refers to a “Made for Apple Watch” logo, but it’s unclear when that will be.