With the release of the Apple Watch, the accessory market has seen an explosion of third-party stands and docks for the wearable. However, they have required Apple’s stock charging cables to make it all work. 9to5Mac reports that Apple will soon allow accessory makers to manufacture official third-party docks and stands with integrated chargers.
“Currently, dock makers can only offer charging by making unsightly openings in their docks for Apple’s official charger to sit, forcing users to bring their own cable and install it, and compromising an ideal design and user experience in the process. By making charging modules available to manufacturers to use, however, customers will be able to buy docks and stands with integrated chargers without needing to use their own.”
Manufacturers in the Made for Apple Watch program will be allowed to obtain the charging pad at the end of the Watch charging cable for integration with their docks and stands. Currently, Watch owners are required to supply their own charging cables and insert them into the third-party stands.
Apple’s allowing accessory makers to integrate the charging pad into their docks and stands will certainly make life easier for users, as well as allowing cleaner and more integrated designs.
Don’t expect to be able to visit the Apple Store this weekend and pick up one of the new integrated stands, as 9to5Mac reports the charging components are currently available only in “Sample quantities.” Official plans for accessories using the part cannot yet be submitted for approval.
While no official timeframe has been announced for the rollout of stands and docks with an integrated charging unit, we can likely expect something in time for the holiday shopping season.
