The link between the forthcoming Apple Watch and iPhone will be handled by an app called ‘Companion,’ it was reported on Tuesday.
Following yesterday’s release of the latest iOS 8.2 beta, acknowledging an Apple Watch app within the iOS Bluetooth settings, 9to5Mac has apparently gotten an early look at that app.
According to the screenshot-laden report, the Companion app will enable users to customise and organise the look of the Apple Watch home screen via a virtual view on the iPhone’s display.
When it comes to messages, the Companion app will let Apple Watch owners choose whether they want to reply with their voices, while it’ll also allow them choose whether Read Receipts are delivered to the sender, just like on other iOS devices. The app will enable default replies to texts, allow users to set custom alters for text and even choose who they’d like to receive messages from.
In terms of the Apple Watch’s skills as an activity tracker, the Companion app will allow users to customise ‘Stand Reminders’ to poke them whenb they’ve been seated too long and whether they’ll receive achievement notifications or
progress updates. They’ll also decide whether the Heart Rate monitor is used to calculate calories burned or not.
Just like the iPhone itself, there’ll also be a host of Accessibility and Passcode settings which can be controlled from the Companion app. For example, users will have the option to wipe data from the Apple Watch if a passcode is incorrectly entered 10 times.
Read more: Apple Watch news, release date, specs and rumours
The Companion app is likely to be part of a forthcoming iOS 8.2 beta, which will preface the arrival of the Apple Watch.
Latest indications have suggested the long-awaited smartwatch will go on sale in the United States before the end of March. The firm is reportedly planning to begin training its retail staff on the device next month ahead of the on-sale date.
Still no word on when it’ll hit the UK though…
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Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
