Improving iPhone Compatibility with Other Smartwatches
It seems that a tech giant is planning to enhance how other brands' smartwatches connect and work with iPhones. An interesting feature, known as Notification Forwarding, has been spotted in the code of the latest iPhone operating system.
"Select the apps which can pass on alerts to your wearable device," is one of the lines found. It also states that "Alerts can be sent to one device at once. When Notification Forwarding is active, you won't receive alerts on the company's own brand watch," is another line discovered.
New Pairing Features
Also found in the code are hints at new ways to pair accessories, like an AccessoryExtension framework. This framework would make it easier to pair an external device with an iPhone.
However, the exact meaning of these snippets is unclear, so there's no definite confirmation that these features will be available for smartwatches from other brands. But, considering new laws in the European Union, this tech giant might be compelled to allow third-party devices access to alerts and functions that are usually exclusive to their own brand watch.
The Bigger Picture
The company's restrictive approach to devices that rival their own watch has been a major point in an ongoing antitrust case with the U.S. Department of Justice (DoJ). The DoJ argues that the company is limiting third-party smartwatches by denying them access to cellular connectivity features that the iPhone's own brand watch enjoys, and by limiting their interaction with incoming alerts.
The DoJ's stance on smartwatch functionality is noteworthy because the company has spent the last 18 months addressing the allegations in the DoJ's lawsuit. For instance, the DoJ's claim that the company suppresses cloud streaming games is no longer relevant, since the tech giant has added support for cloud streaming and mini games in their recent operating system updates.
The DoJ has also criticized the company's delayed support for a communication protocol known as RCS, but the company has since added RCS support for better messaging across platforms in their latest OS update. The DoJ also had an issue with the company's refusal to let digital payment providers use the iPhone's chip for contactless payments, but the company has since opened up access to this chip in their latest OS update.
Possibilities of Notification Forwarding
If the Notification Forwarding feature is indeed for third-party smartwatches, it might initially be a feature only available in the EU to meet the requirements of the Digital Markets Act. However, it's also possible that the company could roll out this change globally.