Apple develops a proprietary short-range communication system for the iPhones 11 Pro

The latest Apple keynote could be said to have been relatively low on innovation. However, there is at least 1 brand-new component in the iPhones of this year: the U1 chip. This new silicon has been developed to support a new standard of wireless connectivity known as ultrawide band or UWB.

As the name suggests, UWB emits a type of impulse at a particularly extensive range of frequencies. UWB is not specific to Apple, but the new U1 chip certainly is. The company claims that it will enable 1 device in which it is installed to detect any others in its range. Thereafter, the same products can use UWB for file transfers, which will be facilitated by AirDrop.

These functions are possible through other standards such as Bluetooth 5.1; however, Apple asserts that UWB is more accurate and less susceptible to obstacles compared to these technologies. This new modality could also be used to locate other objects in which U1 chips are found, which, as it is rumored, will shortly include Tile-like devices.

It is also possible that this new module could be turned to augmented reality- (AR) related applications. Currently, these possibilities are only open to the iPhone 11 Pro and Pro Max.