iOS 16 Introduces New Capabilities for Accessories With U1 Chip Integration
[ad_1]
As part of WWDC last month, Apple announced that iOS 16 will allow third-party accessories with U1 chip integration to interact with iPhone apps even when the app is running in the background, enabling new “hands-free user experiences.”
In a press release today, chipmaker Qorvo said this new functionality will allow U1-enabled accessories to work in tandem with iOS 16 apps to trigger real-time actions based on your precise location, such as turning on lights or playing music when you enter a room, even if you aren’t actively using the apps at the time.
Qorvo also announced that its Ultra Wideband chips are now certified by Apple’s MFi Program, which should pave the way for MFi-certified U1-enabled accessories from third-party brands. Accessory makers can use Qorvo’s chips to create accessories that are compatible with U1-equipped iPhone and Apple Watch models.
Apple’s own accessories also offer precise, directionally-aware experiences. For example, users can hold a U1-equipped iPhone near a HomePod mini to “hand off” music playback, complete with visual, audible, and haptic effects. U1-enabled iPhones can also take advantage of the Precision Finding feature that makes it easier to locate an AirTag.
Built into iPhone 11 models and newer, Apple Watch Series 6 models and newer, the HomePod mini, and the AirTag, Apple’s U1 chip uses Ultra Wideband technology for ultra-precise spatial awareness within close distances.
More details are available on the Nearby Interactions with U1 page on Apple’s developer website.
Related Stories
HomePod and HomePod Mini Gain Support for Swedish and Norwegian
Apple on Wednesday released software version 15.6 for the HomePod and HomePod mini. While not mentioned in the release notes, the update adds support for Siri in Swedish and Norwegian on the HomePod and HomePod mini. The addition of Swedish and Norwegian support likely means the HomePod mini will be released in Sweden and Norway over the coming months. Apple released the HomePod mini in…
Apple Watch SE 2 to Bring Top-Tier Chip to Budget Model for First Time
The Apple Watch SE could gain the same chip as the flagship Apple Watch for the first time later this year, according to a recent report from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. The first-generation Apple Watch SE’s S5 chip. When the first-generation Apple Watch SE launched alongside the Apple Watch Series 6, it featured the S5 chip from the Apple Watch Series 5, while the Series 6 offered the S6 chip….
New Version of Original HomePod to Return Next Year
Apple is likely to release a successor to the original HomePod next year that will feature a new display on top supporting new touch interactions, according to Mark Gurman. Writing in the latest edition of his Power On newsletter, the Bloomberg journalist says the smart speaker will have a similar size and boast comparable audio quality as the original, now discontinued HomePod, and will be …
HomePod 2 Could Feature All-New Touch Interactions
Apple is reportedly considering adding multi-touch functionality to a new version of the HomePod set to launch as soon as next year, hinting at all-new ways to interact with the device. In a recent newsletter, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman explained that Apple is likely to release a successor to the original HomePod next year that could feature multi-touch functionality:The HomePod, code-named…
Deals: Rare Sale Arrives for HomePod Mini, Get the Blue Model for $89.95
B&H Photo is discounting Apple’s blue HomePod mini to $89.95 this week, down from $99.00. Only the blue color option is on sale at this price, and it’s in stock with free expedited shipping and delivery estimates beginning around August 3 for most locations in the United States. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we…
Apple AirTag Helps Retrieve Stolen Vehicle in Memphis
Apple’s AirTag item tracker has helped a man in Memphis successfully get his stolen car back, Action News 5 reports. Earlier this month, a High Point Terrace resident’s Hyundai Santa Fe SUV was broken into, with damage to the passenger window and the steering column. According to police reports, it appears someone attempted to steal the vehicle but failed. Less than a week later, the…
Popular Stories
Top Stories: iOS 16 Beta 4, ‘Apple Watch Pro’ Rumors, and More
We’re probably about six weeks away from the unveiling of the iPhone 14 lineup and Apple is continuing to polish the iOS 16 update that will be released alongside the new hardware, so we’re seeing a number of tweaks as it moves through the beta testing period. This week also saw some rumors about the rugged “Apple Watch Pro” planned for launch later this year, as well as some of the…
Apple Seeds Second Public Betas of iOS 16 and iPadOS 16
Apple today seeded the second betas of iOS 16 and iPadOS 16 to public beta testers, opening up the iOS 16 beta testing process to the general public. Today’s beta comes a little over two weeks after the first public beta, and it corresponds with the fourth developer beta. Public beta testers who have signed up for Apple’s free beta testing program can download the second iOS 16 and iPadOS 16 …
VMware Fusion Tech Preview Brings Windows 11 to Apple Silicon Macs
VMware this week announced that its latest VMware Fusion update brings Windows 11 support to both Intel and Apple silicon Macs. Available as a free tech preview, the 2H22 version of Fusion will finally allow Apple silicon Mac users to download and use Windows on their machines through virtualization. Features include Windows 11 support with 2D GFX and networking, VMtools installation for…
Everything New in iOS 16 Beta 4 For Lock Screen, iMessage, CarPlay, and More
Apple today seeded the fourth beta of iOS 16 to developers for testing. The latest beta contains a handful of new features and changes involving the Messages app, Home app, Mail app, Lock Screen notifications, CarPlay, and more. Subscribe to MacRumors on YouTube iOS 16 is currently in beta for developers and members of Apple’s free public beta testing program, and the software update will be…
Apple Stops Signing iOS 15.5 Following iOS 15.6 Release, Downgrading No Longer Possible
Following the launch of iOS 15.6 last Wednesday, Apple has stopped signing iOS 15.5, the previously available version that came out in mid-May. Since iOS 15.5 is no longer being signed, it is not possible to downgrade to that version of iOS after installing iOS 15.6. Apple routinely stops signing older versions of software updates after new releases come out in order to encourage customers…
Latest iOS 16 Beta Further Suggests Always-On Display Coming to iPhone 14 Pro
A new detail found in the iOS 16 beta could be the latest indication that Apple is indeed planning to bring always-on display functionality to the upcoming high-end iPhones. As discovered by 9to5Mac, the latest iOS 16 beta adds a new “Sleep” state to the default wallpapers found in iOS 16. The new “Sleep” mode is a version of the wallpaper that is darker and more tinted, better suited to be…
[ad_2]
Source link
