Apple’s new U1 chip was easy to miss because it was not highlighted during the introduction of the iPhone 11 lineup, but it is present in all three new phones. When you are using AirDrop, Apple’s proprietary chip is designed to bring new location-tracking features, starting with spatial awareness. With the U1 chip on both devices, you can simply place your iPhone at another point and it will appear at the top of the AirDrop list. Apple plans to roll out more capabilities to take advantage of the new chip in the near future.
What is U1 chip?
U in U1 is for ultra wideband. It is a short-range radio technology capable of precisely measuring the distance between two devices with a U1 chip. This means that it can be used to search devices indoors and at pinpoint locations as compared to GPS. Mostly Bluetooth low energy, ultra wideband also does not require much power to work.
What can U1 chip do?
Apple says Ultra Wideband is bringing spatial awareness to the iPhone 11 so that it can properly detect other U1-equipped Apple devices. But for now, capabilities are limited; If you want to share a file via AirDrop, you will be able to point your iPhone to the iPhone you want to share and it should appear at the top of your list of options.
As Apple is merging Find My Friends and Find My iPhone in iOS 13, we think the new Find My app will use Ultra Wideband to help people find each other and locate lost iPhones. Apple is expected to reveal more information about the U1 chip and has ultra wideband enabled in the coming months.
Which devices are in the U1 chip?
It seems that a lot of Apple devices going forward will have a U1 chip. They are obviously going to be handy for iPhones, but can also be great in AirPods, Apple Watches, iPads and other devices. Here is a list of devices that now have a U1 chip:
One notable omission from this list is the iPhone SE (2020). Despite using Apple’s A13 bionic processor, Apple’s budget phone does not have a U1 chip. However, this is not much missing, as the chip does not have many advantages yet.
There have been frequent rumors about Apple releasing some sort of location-tracking accessory, possibly called the Apple Tag, that will work like the best Bluetooth trackers, giving you keys, accessories, or Gives the option to attach to anything else. to keep an eye on. Interestingly, the possibility of a large network of devices with a U1 chip can ensure that your device or tag is easy to track because any iPhone or other device with a U1 chip can detect another and Apple Location, which will then detect your update. My app with location.
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