Apple Launches 'Made for Apple Watch' Program Approving Third-Party Bands

Apple has officially launched a 'Made for Apple Watch' program, enabling manufacturers to create approved third-party bands for the new smartwatch.

Apple Watch is our most personal device yet. Give users more choices to express their style by designing beautifully crafted bands for Apple Watch.

Apple has very detailed guidelines for any manufacturer looking to create an Apple watch band. Notably, the company says lugs for those in the program will be available soon.


"Apple Watch bands are easily changed with simple release buttons and lugs that secure the band to the Apple Watch case. When creating your custom bands, refer to the band design guidelines and lug profile. Apple Watch lugs will be available soon through the Made for Apple Watch program."

Here are just a few of the requirements:

● Bands for Apple Watch must integrate two lugs that mate with the Apple Watch Band Interface (see Apple Watch Band Interface (page 7)). Apple Watch uses a high precision interface profile; see https://developer.apple.com/watch/accessories/ for a sample 2D lug profile. Lugs should lock into the band mating slot with a 'lug latch' feature that prevents accidental removal of the band.
● Exposed edges of bands and lugs must pass UL 1349 tests for sharpness of edges on equipment and BS EN71-1:2014, Safety of Toys - Mechanical and physical properties .
● The lug latch must never become jammed in the extended position.
● Bands must not integrate magnetic chargers.
● Bands and lugs should:
-- pass a 72 hour salt mist test as specified in ASTM B117 with no visible corrosion resist a 5-20 kgf lateral slide-out force when installed in Apple Watch
-- resist a 20 kgf or greater pull force as specified in ISO-6245:1996, Specifications for Diver's Watches , section 7.3
-- detach easily from Apple Watch when the band release buttons are pressed take into account the weight of Apple Watch
● For compatibility with Apple Watch heart rate sensors, bands should:
-- have length sizing adjustment pitch of less than 7 mm (center to center)
-- provide sufficient adjustability for the user to achieve a snug, yet comfortable, fit that prevents movement of Apple Watch relative to skin
● Bands must not prevent the user's skin from maintaining direct contact with the Apple Watch heart rate sensors and back of Apple Watch, and must incorporate sufficient margin to compensate for shifting or dimensional changes of the band material. Failure to do so may interfere with Apple Watch wrist detect and Apple Pay features.
● Bands intended for use during exercise should maintain a snug fit through a full range of motion to maintain compatibility with Apple Watch heart rate sensors.

Notably, Apple does not mention permitted use of the diagnostic port which third-party developers are already intending to use as a charging port.


More details at the link below...

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