In a new interview shared by Yahoo, Deidre Caldbeck, Director of Apple Watch Product Marketing, and Kevin Lynch, Apple's Vice President of Technology, talked about the new features in watchOS 8 and how the Apple Watch can become people's new wallet.
During WWDC 2021, Apple presented a preview of watchOS 8. The new operating system for the Apple Watch will, like iOS 15, offer a revised Wallet app. In addition to the ability to add a credit card, movie and flight tickets, Apple wants users to be able to store ID cards and keys for their everyday life in the app. Deidre Caldbeck believesthat this is the future of wallets:
This is our vision to one day replace the physical wallet by having everything you need right on your wrist.
Although it is Apple's goal, it will be some time before customers are able to store their ID cards and their house keys, work credentials and even hotel cards in the Wallet app on the Apple Watch and iPhone. Initially, only 12 of the 50 American states will offer the option to store their citizens' ID cards in the iPhone's Wallet. Lynch explained:
Apple Watch and iPhone to replace the wallet
We're obviously early. You'll be able to have it in your wallet. You'll be able to see your ID there, like your other cards. And then you can show it if you want to, like at the TSA.
When asked how this will work on the Apple Watch, Lynch said:
Much like how Apple Pay works, you can present it digitally and the information can be displayed to the person looking at your ID.
Lynch also talked about the possibility of using an Apple Watch with the U1 chip to unlock a car. Using the same technology and watchOS 8, this will also be possible for homes with smart locks:
It's a lot of fun to just walk up to your car and have it unlocked and then drive. I think we're at the right point right now with this kind of key to the world that we're working on here with the Apple Watch.
All in all, Apple's goal sounds quite exciting. But it will certainly be a few years before we get there. (Image: Apple)
