Apple went on about watchOS 2 at length during last night’s WWDC keynote, but it failed to mention one key update for the Apple Watch.
Specifically, Apple is introducing Activation Lock to the Apple Watch, which will help ward off potential theft of the wearable.
The iPhone has already had Activation Lock for a while, and there were recent complaints over the feature’s absence on the Apple Watch.
Activating the Apple Watch means the device will be tied to your iCloud Apple ID and Password.
This means that if someone stole your smartwatch, they wouldn’t be able to access the device or bypass your passcode.
Related: Apple Watch vs Android Wear
Currently, it’s very easy for a thief to get around the passcode on a stolen Apple Watch.
All a person needs to do is reset the Apple Watch to factory settings, and the device will be accessible as new.
This means that although the thief won’t be able to access your files, the device can still be resold as new, providing an incentive for theft.
An Activation Lock removes this possibility, and disincentivises would-be thieves looking to bank on the pricey gadgets.
watchOS 2 is currently available to developers in beta, while a public beta will go live in July.
The full release of watchOS 2 is set to land something in autumn, although we don’t have a specific launch date just yet.
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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.