Retail Apple Watches Still Have a Hidden Diagnostic Port [Updated]

[2457282]

went to the apple store yesterday and ended up ordering two watches. during the demo, i tried to get the rep to take off the band, but she would only slide it of partially to show how easy it was to swap bands, but would not take the band off completely. It looked like they were specifically trained not to do that, so I am surprised that folks were able to get the band off and pictures taken in store.

In any case we shall see what happens when people actually start recieving the watches in a few weeks.

 

[uid15]

Confirms the Apple Watch is a toy, that cover does not look watertight so what happens if rain get on to those connectors will they short circuit and if it is sweat on the sports version the gold will corrode. Saw this watch in the Glasgow, Braehead store. It is bulky and very definitely 1st generation. I'll wait for the 4th generation when they will have fixed all the problems. Just like the iPhone 3GS, and iPad 4.

Erm, gold doesn't corrode.

 

[Tejas57]

This may have been covered already but how are we going to do software updates on the watch?

through the watch app i belive

 

[Euge]

Confirms the Apple Watch is a toy, that cover does not look watertight so what happens if rain get on to those connectors will they short circuit and if it is sweat on the sports version the gold will corrode. Saw this watch in the Glasgow, Braehead store. It is bulky and very definitely 1st generation. I'll wait for the 4th generation when they will have fixed all the problems. Just like the iPhone 3GS, and iPad 4.

Why is it so many people insist on it being waterproof, and why do you believe that it's a "toy" because it isn't?

Making something waterproof in not that simple, especially a gadget like the Apple Watch that has so many sensors and a speaker and mic. There is no watch-like product that I know of that has the level of technology the Apple Watch has: micro-computer, high resolution display, digital crown, speaker, mic, heart rate, ambient light sensor, etc. Have you seen it in person? There are huge holes in the side for the speaker and mic.

Garmin makes products made for triathletes. That means it's for SWIMMING, biking, and running. Their first two generation products were IPX7 rated. It wasn't a toy.

While I certainly would love for the Apple Watch to be waterproof, and hopefully some day it will, I'm not holding my breath (at least any time soon). For the amount of technology it has, I think making it IPX7 is pretty awesome, actually.

 

[kdarling]

A physical connection to the internal micro is required in order to update low level firmware and interrogate the device without requiring a wireless link. There's not many, if any, specialized micro's with built-in wireless therefore the external wireless chip needs to be controlled by a stable, self-contained micro.

Once the low level code is mature, then there's no need for a wired connection.

The Moto 360, for instance, has no physical connectors. Even debugging is done over a Bluetooth connection.

For that matter, when was the last time that we plugged in our iPhone or iPad to get a software update. Years.

 

[Drag'nGT]

through the watch app i belive

Hmmmm not sure I like that.

 

[AppleMark]

Once the low level code is mature, then there's no need for a wired connection.

The Moto 360, for instance, has no physical connectors. Even debugging is done over a Bluetooth connection.

For that matter, when was the last time that we plugged in our iPhone or iPad to get a software update. Years.

What if the device needs diagnostics / update due to a failure to power up, battery issue, or WIFI / Bluetooth failure? Apple will at least need to prove 100% that you broke it in order to deny you a warranty repair…

Then surely a physical connection is required?

FYIO - I always physically plug my devices in for updates and back-up.

Regarding the iPhones / iPads, the point is that you can for pretty much the same reasons I have mentioned. I have an old iPod Photo which only works whilst connected to a power source as the battery died many years ago. I can still manage the device through a physical connection.

 

[sjinsjca]

I noticed this also while looking at the iPad Air 2. Which is super odd because wouldn't a 16GB model work for demo purposes? Tells me that there's more going on under the hood.

Nah, what it should tell you is that there's vanishingly little difference in cost between 16 and 32GB (price is another matter), and 32GB gives its store kiosk designers much more elbow-room for flashy graphics, media and animations, whereas if they cheaped-out on the floor models they'd constantly have to keep an eye on storage limits.

 

[iMacoo7]

This is very interesting. I mean, ''smart bands'' would be a way to let the apple watch go two years without an update.

I agree with your comment 100%! I highly doubt they will be updating this watch yearly.... As I posted in another thread : I believe the watches will be updated bi or tri yearly. I highly doubt this will be a yearly upgrade....

 

[AppleMark]

Don't get your hopes up boys for a smart band, they have invested lots on all these wrist bands and they wouldn't put so much effort if smart bands were around the corner.

What, you mean that Apple would never plan to sell you something, just to sell it to you again next year as an 'updated model'…?

Well I never...

 

[sjinsjca]

Image
The hidden port's actual use has finally been discovered.

My first thought on seeing that photo you posted was: iHarmonica?

Then I thought: That guy looks like Snoop Dogg. So: iVape?

 

[doelcm82]

Nah, what it should tell you is that there's vanishingly little difference in cost between 16 and 32GB (price is another matter), and 32GB gives its store kiosk designers much more elbow-room for flashy graphics, media and animations, whereas if they cheaped-out on the floor models they'd constantly have to keep an eye on storage limits.

Yeah, no. That's not it.

 

[sjinsjca]

This is very interesting. I mean, ''smart bands'' would be a way to let the apple watch go two years without an update. Although, smart bands could backfire if you've paid $449 for a link bracelet.

Unless it's not a "smart band" but a "smart link"...

Not a bad idea, frankly. A smart link could be all-battery, multiplying the power capacity of the Watch manifold. And/or it could contain other functionality and sensors. It could replace just the one terminal link in a link bracelet, or perhaps it could have its own C-shaped band slot, essentially extending the Watch a few mm.

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FYIO - I always physically plug my devices in for updates and back-up.

So 2008.

 

[a.gomez]

Wow, that thing is chunky

 

[charlituna]

I wonder what else this port can be used for.

Nothing. Apple is pretty careful to lock down diags ports.

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This may have been covered already but how are we going to do software updates on the watch?

Maybe you aren't. Remember much if not most of the power is from the iPhone it's connected to. The Watch in many ways is a dumb display

And if there are updates they can be pushed wirelessly from your iPhone.

Personally I'm waiting for the Apple Watch S to come out. With the laser.

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What, you mean that Apple would never plan to sell you something, just to sell it to you again next year as an 'updated model'…?

Well I never...

And yet they don't. Yes they make new models every year but they don't hold a gun to your head to buy it.

 

[AppleMark]

So 2008.

So what?

 

[Rogifan]

Maybe you aren't. Remember much if not most of the power is from the iPhone it's connected to. The Watch in many ways is a dumb display

And if there are updates they can be pushed wirelessly from your iPhone.

Personally I'm waiting for the Apple Watch S to come out. With the laser.

Gruber said his review unit is running 8.2 but his phone is 8.3 so I wonder if the watches that ship will be 8.3?

 

[furi0usbee]

At least they re-purposed the magsafe connector. That's nice. Would have preferred they made that their standard rather than usb-c.

 

[charlituna]

Gruber said his review unit is running 8.2 but his phone is 8.3 so I wonder if the watches that ship will be 8.3?

The Watches aren't running full iOS so the version may not matter in such a sense.

 

[MacVista]

Interesting how it's missing a few of the regulatory symbols from the iPhone. Someone who knows more about this could probably elaborate.

Apple lobbied to have that requirement eliminated.
Just in time for the WATCH. A real eyesore. (The watch too).

 

[iChrist]

.
Dang, those watches are thick. I saw them in the store and was disappointed. These pics though show accurately how fat the watches are.



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Confirms the Apple Watch is a toy, that cover does not look watertight so what happens if rain get on to those connectors will they short circuit and if it is sweat on the sports version the gold will corrode. Saw this watch in the Glasgow, Braehead store. It is bulky and very definitely 1st generation. I'll wait for the 4th generation when they will have fixed all the problems. Just like the iPhone 3GS, and iPad 4.

Yeah after using it in store, it is definitely beta. Especially the chunky design.

 

[jsadwith]

my thoughts exactly!

He's reading your mind!

 

[AppleMark]

And yet they don't. Yes they make new models every year but they don't hold a gun to your head to buy it.

Who mentioned anything about holding a gun to anyones head…?

My post was a factual based tongue-in-cheek comment based on Apples indisputable and successful sales strategy and in response to the post stating:"Don't get your hopes up boys for a smart band, they have invested lots on all these wrist bands and they wouldn't put so much effort if smart bands were around the corner."

History would strongly suggest otherwise. In fact they upgraded my iPad 3 only 7 months after it launched and even less time than I owned it.

They do this in part to maximise guaranteed future sales, either from those waiting/needing to upgrade, or are addicted to upgrading (myself definitely not included in the later).

You only need to be on this forum around any iPhone launch to hear the amounts of people trying to sell their body parts and children, in order to pay off their current plan. Why? Just so they can upgrade from the last years obsolete model..

But seriously, if you bought the Watch and a strap cost whatever £/$'s and the next year they brought out a strap that could:

As kdarling posted:

...have flexible battery wrist straps that extend the life of the watch up a week or two...Perhaps add a strap that measures blood pressure, or in the future, glucose levels via visual means. Or a GPS in a strap. Or a cellular connection in a strap.

Are you saying 100% you would not (or could not), be tempted to buy one of these watch strap's if they met your need?

Many people would. Apple know this, that is why in part they are so successful.

Of course, this is all hypothetical as the port could amount to nothing more than a diagnostic port.

But thank you anyway for your needless and off topic swipe, whilst seemingly agreeing to my post.

 

[charlituna]

You only need to be on this forum around any iPhone launch to hear the amounts of people trying to sell their body parts and children, in order to pay off their current plan. Why? Just so they can upgrade from the last years obsolete model..

The decision to buy the phone and the belief that it is 'obsolete' is their issue. Apple has nothing to do with it. They don't force anyone to buy every year. There is no kill switch that makes the phones suddenly not work so you have to upgrade. There is no one knocking on your door and dragging you out in the middle of the night to upgrade.

If someone's self image is so wrapped up on having the latest and greatest that isn't Apple's fault.

 

[topmounter]

Duh... that's the AppleTalk port. I'm surprised nobody recognized it