As part of this week's WWDC, Apple released a draft specification for its Close Interaction Accessory Protocol, which allows accessory manufacturers to review preliminary hardware and software requirements for developing accessories that interact with the U1 chip on devices. Compatible Apple, such as iPhone 11 and iPhone 12 models.
Third-party accessories designed to be interoperable with the U1 chip will be able to deliver precise and direction-sensitive experiences, just like Apple accessories. For example, users can bring a U1-equipped iPhone close to a HomePod mini to provide music playback, with visual, sound and haptic effects, or access a precision search function when an AirTag is near a U1-equipped iPhone. .
NXP Semiconductors and Qorvo now offer development kits for designing third-party accessories that are interoperable with the U1 chip. However, it's unclear when the first U1-enabled third-party accessories will be released.
Apple first opened the U1 chip to application developers with the launch of the Close Interaction Framework at WWDC 2020, enabling thoughtful and precise application experiences, and is now expanding this ultra-broadband integration to accessories from hardware.
Apple has a WWDC 2021 session on the subject in more detail.
