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Latest iOS 8.2 iPhone beta adds Apple Watch Bluetooth support, confirms app

The latest iOS 8.2 beta for the iPhone adds support for Apple’s next major product launch: the Apple Watch. Inside of the Bluetooth Settings menu is a new panel specifically for pairing an iPhone with the Apple Watch. Additionally, the instructions inside of the Bluetooth menu specifically indicate that Apple will release a dedicated “Apple Watch app” for setting up and controlling the wearable device. An early preview of the Watch explained the standalone app as follows:

Apple Watch users will install an Apple Watch app on their iPhone, which will be used to download apps onto the watch as well as likely manage Apple Watch settings. A user’s iPhone is also used to help with computational demands. Apple cleverly pushes a lot of processor needs to the phone in order to preserve Apple Watch battery life.

The Apple Watch is currently scheduled to ship in March, sources said earlier this month. Apple will begin training its retail staff on the Apple Watch around mid-February. As Oliver Charavel notes, you’ll be able to also manage iPhone settings (and even ping it) from the Watch:

The Apple Watch application is not yet accessible in the latest iOS 8.2 beta, but it will likely be pre-loaded into 8.2 upon its launch by March (or it will be available from the App Store). The Apple Watch only works with the iPhone 5 and newer, and it will start at $349.

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Comments

  1. jreed91 - 9 years ago

    Mark Gurman drives a Tesla?

  2. Taste_of_Apple - 9 years ago

    Some pretty cool little features.

  3. chrisl84 - 9 years ago

    Marks got a Tesla, impressive!

    • Sam (@iUpdateOS) - 9 years ago

      Lol, exactly what I was thinking.

    • icrew - 9 years ago

      Either that, or he test-drove one at some point (very plausible, given that he’s a tech journalist), paired his phone, and hasn’t bothered to delete the bluetooth profile.

  4. Tesla? A-W-E-S-O-M-E MAN! :D :)

  5. Sman Haqq (@usman_haque) - 9 years ago

    Loving how everyone is focusing on the Tesla instead of the to-be-expected Apple Watch app.

  6. Toro Volt (@torovolt) - 9 years ago

    This is very similar to how the Pebble Watch operates with the iPhone. There is an iPhone/iPad App that controls many aspects of the watch such settings and Apps, much easier this way. The watch and the iPhone continuously run a data link through Bluetooth 4.0 LE to save on power. The Watch is mostly a Peripheral device to the iPhone with some but limited autonomy.

  7. coolfactor - 9 years ago

    I’m not a fan of how the text wraps in that screenshot. It’s small details like that which Apple used to slave over to get right, and now they seem to be getting just as lazy and messy as Windows is. Clickable/Tappable links should not wrap.

    • coolfactor - 9 years ago

      The increasing number of “Yes” / “No” dialogs, contrary to Apple’s own user interface guidelines, is more evidence of that. #rantover

      • Alborz Heydaryan - 9 years ago

        I’m not sure I fully understand you. can you explain a bit more what’s wrapping in the picture?

    • everydaypanos - 9 years ago

      How is wrapping hyperlink NOT a standard control that Apple needs to reinvent/refine?
      iPhone6 landscape keyboard is in my opinion much more a lazy not well thought example..

  8. Almog (@Almogos) - 9 years ago

    Mark, The Tesla Model S is yours? Its AWESOME!!!

  9. Alex Barbour - 9 years ago

    Mark apparently drives a Tesla, a Mercedes Benz, and one of the Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep/RAM vehicles, all by his bluetooth menu haha.

  10. spiralynth - 9 years ago

    Gurman is a 20 year old college student, so I doubt he drives a Tesla. Maybe his dad owns one. Or maybe he test drove/reviewed one at some time.

    But considering he made the 2015 “Forbes 30 Under 30” list, I’m sure he’ll be able to afford one in a couple of years.

  11. Hopefully it won’t be long before we find out more details. People are obviously craving for more details about Apple Watch, with tutorials already popping up, even though the device isn’t out for months! http://iosguides.net/apple-watch/

  12. Anyone having issues sending iMessages with this new beta?