Apple Watch patent shows possible addition of Touch ID

A recently discovered patent application hints at Apple Watch possibly getting in-display Touch ID for an additional level of security. The patent refers to "a touch sensing device, force-sensing device, temperature-sensing device, and/or fingerprint sensor" that can be placed behind the screen. It doesn't seem like a far off idea given that the Apple Watch already supports Apple Pay.

The patent describes having the wireless antennas on the watch moved to the strap so there will be room for more components under the screen. There is a caveat there, though. Moving components like Wi-Fi, cellular, and Bluetooth to the strap might affect its uses, given the wear and tear as well as the customizability Apple offers. But this is just a patent, so perhaps it might not see the light of day.

Source: TechRadar

Roku's remote control app adds Apple Watch support

Roku's remote control app gets a new update that will let you navigate and control what you want to watch on the Apple TV app right from your Apple Watch. The feature works similarly with Apple's Remote app that controls the Apple TV. The options are the same as what you'd find on the mobile app, but it's "sized for your wrist." You can also launch channels right from the Watch's screen, with channels appear in the order of most recently launched. Voice search is also available. You can issue commands such as "Launch Netflix" or "Search for Comedies." And if you're the type who loses the remote of your Roku device, the app has a "Remote finder" that will make it play an audible chime. This update, as well as the remote finder feature, will work for select Roku devices and Roku TV models.

Source: 9to5Mac

Canadian Apple Watch Series 4 owners can now use the ECG app, get irregular heart rhythm notification

Here’s some great news for Apple Watch Series 4 owners. You can now use the ECG app and get irregular heart rhythm notifications as part of the free watchOS 5.3 update. Apple has received a Medical Device License from Health Canada for these two features. You can now take an electrocardiogram right from your wrist. This Apple Watch model can capture your heart’s rhythm in a moment when you experience symptoms like a rapid or skipped heartbeat. This in turn helps provide critical data for physicians. At the same time, the Apple Watch can now occasionally check heart rhythm in the background and send a notification if an irregular heart rhythm that appears to be atrial fibrillation is identified. watchOS 5.3 update is now available for download.

Apple temporarily disables the Apple Watch's Walkie-Talkie feature due to a vulnerability that lets it listen in on other iPhones

Apple temporarily won’t allow conversations through the Apple Watch’s Walkie-Talkie feature. A vulnerability was found that lets people listen in on other iPhones without their knowledge. Apple says it isn’t aware of the feature being used and it didn’t detail how it works. But the company said there are “specific conditions and sequences of events are required to exploit it.” The app hasn’t been taken out of Apple Watch devices, but users will not have their calls go through.

This push-to-talk feature was introduced last year with the release of watchOS 5. And this isn’t the first time Apple has had to disable a feature. Back in January, the company had to disable the group calling function because it lets users listen in on devices before a call was picked up. The company was seen to respond slowly to that issue, so it looks like they’re trying to remedy that here. The timing for this is notable as well. Apple just took out Zoom’s web server software from Macs after the video conferencing app was discovered to have a major vulnerability bug.

Source: The Verge