Apple Watch User Guide hints at authorized bands from third-party makers

BY Killian Bell

Published 24 Apr 2015

Apple Watch bands are easily replaceable

Buying new bands for your Apple Watch looks to be a pretty costly affair at Apple’s prices, but according to the device’s official User Guide, we could one day see more affordable third-party alternatives that are authorized by Apple.

We’re going to see third-party Watch bands regardless; whether Apple authorizes them or not, accessory makers are already be hard at work on manufacturing them. But according to Watch’s new User Guide, shown in the screenshot below, there could be an official third-party band program.

screenshot-2015-04-23-18-58-42

Apple already has the “MFi” program for authorized iPhone, iPod, and iPad accessories, so a similar system for Watch makes a lot of sense. The Cupertino company can then take a cut of the sales from third-party Watch accessories, rather than trying to block them.

Apple hasn’t announced an authorized program for third-party Watch accessories just yet, however, so we shouldn’t read too much into it just yet. But here’s to hoping that will change soon.

[via 9to5Mac]