- iOS 26.1 suggests that Apple works on a multiplatform pairing system
- This can facilitate the use of an iPhone with a non -papple smartwatch
- However, functionality can only be deployed in the EU
Apple is well known for the fluid interoperability between its own products: the use of an iPhone and an Apple together, for example, is incredibly simple. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said to combine an iPhone with one of the best smart watches in Garmin or Pebble, but it could be about to change in the coming months.
According to Macworld, the code of the beta iOS 26.1 version reveals that Apple could work on a new system to facilitate the sending of notifications of your iPhone to a non -papple smartwatch. Instead of simply reflecting messages on your watch – to which you can read but do not answer – you may be able to act directly from your laptop.
The functionality is called “notification transfer”, and it pushes your iPhone alerts to a third -party device or accessory. Macworld says that the code he saw suggests that you will only receive notifications on “an accessory at a time”.
Once you have transmitted alerts to a third -party device, notifications will be deactivated on your Apple Watch, Macworld believes. This could imply that there are a certain degree of interactivity available to the third party watch – if not, the disabling notifications on your Apple Watch would mean that you would have no way of responding to one of your portable devices.
In addition to this, Macworld’s report alleys that IOS 26.1 comes with apparently unfinished frames relating to accessory pairing, including an accessoryxendance. These frameworks could simplify an iPhone with a device made by a separate manufacturer – something that users have been aspiring for a long time.
European exclusivity?
Some Garmin smart watches can reflect the iPhone locking screen notifications at the moment, but there is no possibility of interacting with them (like responding or reacting with an emoji). Hope is that the alleged Apple notification transfer system will improve this interactivity.
Interestingly, this change may not be deployed worldwide. Macworld suspects that it could be motivated by the EU digital market law. Indeed, earlier this year, the European Commission presented proposals to force Apple to improve the interoperability of its products with third -party devices. This suggests that the transfer of notification and similar technology can only be available in Europe to appease the EU. If this is the case, they might not appear elsewhere.
There is also a chance that Apple never implements notification transfer. As it was only spotted in the beta code, it could be delayed or abandoned for a number of reasons.
That said, iOS 26.1 should be launched in October, although Macworld thinks that notification transfer is probably defined for a later release date. We keep an eye on the situation to see when (or if) he will finally see daylight.
