Senators sport Apple Watches at the impeachment trial, report says

Phones have been banned from the trial but smart watches are still in use, according to reporters.

Corinne Reichert Senior Writer

Corinne Reichert (she/her) grew up in Sydney, Australia and moved to California in 2019. She holds degrees in law and communications, and currently writes news, analysis and features for CNET across the topics of electric vehicles, broadband networks, mobile devices, big tech, artificial intelligence, home technology and entertainment. In her spare time, she watches soccer games and F1 races, and goes to Disneyland as often as possible.

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I've been covering technology and mobile for 12 years, first as a telecommunications reporter and assistant editor at ZDNet in Australia, then as CNET's West Coast head of breaking news, and now in the Thought Leadership team.

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Corinne Reichert

Jan. 21, 2020 1:57 p.m. PT

apple-watch-series-3-16 — Multiple senators are reportedly wearing Apple Watches to the impeachment trial.
Sarah Tew/CNET

Several senators have been spotted wearing Apple Watches during the impeachment trial of US President Donald Trump, a report says. It comes despite rules stating senators cannot have phones or electronic devices in the chamber, RollCall said Tuesday. Six Republican senators and two Democratic senators reportedly sported the smart watch, along with an aide to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.

Apple's smart watch allows you to make and receive calls and text messages, although 9to5Mac noted it's unknown whether the watches being worn in the trial are cellular or Wi-Fi connected.

A Bloomberg reporter said Apple Watches have been banned from being used in the press gallery for the impeachment trial, but that "Senators are wearing them."

The trial began Tuesday morning, with senators currently debating over the rules. To approve the resolution, 51 votes are needed. There are 47 Democrats in the Senate and 53 Republicans, according to CNET sister site CBS News.

You can watch the impeachment trial live on CBS News.