As part of WWDC last month, Apple announced that iOS 16 will allow third-party accessories with U1 chip integration to interact with iPhone apps even when the app is running in the background, enabling new “hands-free user experiences.”

precision finding airtag design session
In a press release today, chipmaker Qorvo said this new functionality will allow U1-enabled accessories to work in tandem with iOS 16 apps to trigger real-time actions based on your precise location, such as turning on lights or playing music when you enter a room, even if you aren’t actively using the apps at the time.

Qorvo also announced that its Ultra Wideband chips are now certified by Apple’s MFi Program, which should pave the way for MFi-certified U1-enabled accessories from third-party brands. Accessory makers can use Qorvo’s chips to create accessories that are compatible with U1-equipped iPhone and Apple Watch models.

Apple’s own accessories also offer precise, directionally-aware experiences. For example, users can hold a U1-equipped iPhone near a HomePod mini to “hand off” music playback, complete with visual, audible, and haptic effects. U1-enabled iPhones can also take advantage of the Precision Finding feature that makes it easier to locate an AirTag.

Built into iPhone 11 models and newer, Apple Watch Series 6 models and newer, the HomePod mini, and the AirTag, Apple’s U1 chip uses Ultra Wideband technology for ultra-precise spatial awareness within close distances.

More details are available on the Nearby Interactions with U1 page on Apple’s developer website.

Related Stories

Apple Watch SE 2 to Bring Top-Tier Chip to Budget Model for First Time

The Apple Watch SE could gain the same chip as the flagship Apple Watch for the first time later this year, according to a recent report from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. The first-generation Apple Watch SE’s S5 chip. When the first-generation Apple Watch SE launched alongside the Apple Watch Series 6, it featured the S5 chip from the Apple Watch Series 5, while the Series 6 offered the S6 chip….

New Version of Original HomePod to Return Next Year

Apple is likely to release a successor to the original HomePod next year that will feature a new display on top supporting new touch interactions, according to Mark Gurman. Writing in the latest edition of his Power On newsletter, the Bloomberg journalist says the smart speaker will have a similar size and boast comparable audio quality as the original, now discontinued HomePod, and will be …

HomePod 2 Could Feature All-New Touch Interactions

Apple is reportedly considering adding multi-touch functionality to a new version of the HomePod set to launch as soon as next year, hinting at all-new ways to interact with the device. In a recent newsletter, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman explained that Apple is likely to release a successor to the original HomePod next year that could feature multi-touch functionality:The HomePod, code-named…

iPhone X vs. iPhone 14 Pro: New Features to Expect if You’ve Waited to Upgrade

Launched in 2017, the iPhone X was a major evolution of the iPhone. The device replaced the Home button and Touch ID with swipe-based navigation and Face ID, while introducing new features like an OLED display, Animoji, wireless charging, and more. Even five years later, the iPhone X is still a capable smartphone. If you’ve been holding on to your iPhone X and are considering upgrading to…

Only One Apple Watch Series 8 Model Rumored to Get Larger Battery

Apple plans to release an Apple Watch Series 8 model with a larger battery this year, according to a recent report. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman believes that Apple is working on an “extreme sports” version of the Apple Watch that offers a larger display that is almost two-inches in size, improved impact resistance, and a larger battery. Gurman said that the larger battery could enable longer…

Apple Seeds First HomePod Software 16 Public Beta for HomePod Mini

Alongside the first iOS 16 public beta, Apple today also released a HomePod Software 16 update that is available to public beta testers. This marks the first time that Apple has provided a HomePod beta to its public beta testing group. The HomePod Software 16 update can be downloaded from Apple’s beta site after installing the iOS 16 or iPadOS 16 software updates. From there, users will need …

Popular Stories

iPhone X vs. iPhone 14 Pro: New Features to Expect if You’ve Waited to Upgrade

Launched in 2017, the iPhone X was a major evolution of the iPhone. The device replaced the Home button and Touch ID with swipe-based navigation and Face ID, while introducing new features like an OLED display, Animoji, wireless charging, and more. Even five years later, the iPhone X is still a capable smartphone. If you’ve been holding on to your iPhone X and are considering upgrading to…

M2 ‘Extreme’ Chip Headed to New Mac Pro for Blazing Fast Performance

Apple is working on a new Mac Pro with an M2 “Extreme” chip, according to a recent report from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. The Mac Pro is one of the last Intel-based Mac models still on sale, and a version with Apple silicon has been now anticipated for over two years. At its “Peek Performance” event earlier this year, Apple even teased the launch of the Apple silicon Mac Pro, saying “that’s…

MacBook Air Teardown Reveals M2 Chip and Single Storage Chip for 256GB Model

YouTube channel Max Tech recently shared a video teardown of the new MacBook Air, providing a look inside the redesigned notebook. Overall, the internal design of the new MacBook Air looks similar to the previous model, but the flatter shell allowed for Apple to fit larger battery cells inside the notebook. The new MacBook Air is equipped with a 52.6-watt‑hour battery, compared to a…

Hands-On With the Transparent Nothing Phone 1

Every so often a new smartphone makes waves in the tech world because of an eye-catching design or innovative features, and this month, the Phone 1 from Nothing is starring in reviews and videos thanks to its LED-laden transparent design and affordable price point. We picked up a Nothing Phone 1 to see how it measures up to Apple’s iPhones. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more …

iFixit Tears Down M2 MacBook Air, Finds Accelerometer and Adhesive Pull Tabs for Battery

With the M2 MacBook Air now available for purchase, repair site iFixit picked one up and decided to do one of its traditional teardowns on the machine to give us a look inside. A prior teardown already revealed the biggest potential issue with the base model 256GB M2 MacBook Air – a single storage chip, which is confirmed in iFixit’s teardown. Rather than using two 128GB NAND storage chips…

Apple Releases iOS 15.6 With New Live Sports Features, Storage Bug Fix and More

Apple today released iOS 15.6 and iPadOS 15.6, the sixth major updates to the iOS and iPadOS 15 operating systems that were initially released in September 2021. iOS 15.6 and iPadOS 15.6 come around two months after the launch of iOS 15.5 and iPadOS 15.5. The iOS 15.6 and iPadOS 15.6 updates can be downloaded for free and the software is available on all eligible devices over-the-air in the…