Apple's iWatch is gaining a new level of interest, stirred up by the potential $6 billion profit margin that we reported on early this week. While the 79 related patents and rumored team of 100 developers at the corporate headquarters have people talking, the device itself is sure to add to the growing bring-your-own-device (BYOD) trend that many companies are seeing, but in a different way than you might expect.
While smartphones and tablets offer a number of benefits to companies that embrace them, one of the biggest concerns and deterrents of adoption has been security. For many executives, the four-digit password is just not enough protection in the instance that a device is lost or stolen. However, there is a rumored feature of the iWatch that could help put those fears to rest.
Aside from the wireless internet capabilities, phone calls and music playing, the device would also act as a "key" to unlock other user-owned gadgets. First, owners would synch all compatible devices. Then, through either Bluetooth or a near field communication chip, consumers would wave the iWatch at the screen of a synced iPad, for example, to unlock the device.
This means that, if an employee were to lose an iPhone or iPad that was connected to an iWatch, whoever had it would not be able to access any of the information on it because the "key" to turning it on should still be in the user's wrist.
With such a new concept, it will be interesting to see how it plays out. For companies that have successfully implemented an iPad deployment or Mac integration, this tool could become a must-have. For others that are still considering it, this could put them over the top.
