Smartwatches can be powerful tools, but right now many require some sort of connection to your phone to fully function. That could soon change, as companies like Apple work to put more user control right on your wrist.

WatchOS 8, announced Monday at the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC), introduces several new features that will eliminate the need to even pull out your smartphone in many cases, including support for Ultra Wideband (UWB), the technology used to set up things like digital keys for your car and smart home systems. If this trend continues, experts say we could see an Apple Watch that doesn’t even need to be tethered to your iPhone.

“Right now, most people who buy a smartwatch have their phone with them at all times. This is obviously a necessity, but creating an Apple Watch that can operate independently of a smartphone would be a valuable business move for Apple,” Christen da Costa, a tech expert and CEO at GadgetReview, told Lifewire in an email.

“But people who want an Apple Watch for its many great features, but don't want to spend another $600 or more on an iPhone, now have options. Even people who own an iPhone can decide if they just want to wear their watch.”