Latest sources inform that you can unlock your all-new electric BMW iX using the Digital Key Plus feature in your iPhone. The new key will use an ultra wideband (UWV) that was first used in the iPhone 11. Select flagship phones of Apple includes the UWV feature and iPhone owners will now have the ability to unlock their car from their bags or pockets.
Apple already had an advanced car key technology but with the upgraded version namely Digital Key Plus, you will not need to take out your phones to access the feature. This advanced tech will launch in Europe by the end of this year. It will be launched in the US the following year.
Digital Key Plus To Work Only In Apple iPhone 11 And 12 Flagship Phones
Currently, the digital car key tech used by BMW and Apple works on the NFC tech for which you need to have your Apple Watch or iPhone near the car tag for it to function. But the current UWV chips works from a distance as it uses ultra-wide tech.
The new Digital Key Plus also raises questions regarding security. However, both the companies, BMW and Apple has been vocal about the security approach. According to them, this new tech uses the “greatest possible security”. But how does this function? BMW mentioned in a statement that the enhanced Digital Key Plus is relay attack resistant. The digital key will automatically terminate any effort to intercept or jam the signal.
Apple mentions that this advanced tech will not be available in its budget iPhones. Only the flagship models will possess this feature. Currently only the iPhone 11 and iPhone 12 flagship phones have the Digital Key Plus. iPhones like the SE 2020 do not have the U1 chip that is required to make this tech work. The Apple Watch latest series 6 that was launched last year is also said to possess this feature.
