Last year, we reported on an upcoming feature related to Android phone unlocking with your smartwatch. However, the so-called Watch Unlock is still just a rumor and now we may know why.
According to 9to5Google, Google is preparing to launch the feature alongside the Google Pixel Watch 3, which in turn will offer UWB connectivity. This would allow faster and more secure phone unlocks without having to use your fingerprint reader or face unlock.
Hidden deep inside the Play Services app source code, is a reference to “UWB ranging” for Watch Unlock. However, the code also reveals that the feature may not work as intended in countries where UWB isn’t an officially certified connectivity protocol.
In any case, these two leaks are a strong indication that Google is working on a more advanced Watch Unlock method than initially thought and an UWB chip inside the Pixel Watch 3 will finally make it possible.
