The Apple Watch is already as much a customisable fashion accessory as it is a helpful tool, and it looks like the fruit company is exploring ways to take the former aspect to the next level. A new patent granted to the iPhone maker by the USPTO describes adding an NFC component to the straps or bands of the Watch. This would in turn allow a future model of the Watch to do certain things when certain bands are attached or removed.
Among the things listed that the Apple Watch can do when it detects certain bands being attached include changing “colour, theme, or content displayed on the device”. For example, when you pop on your workout band, you can set the Watch to run and show your fitness trackers on the watch face. On the flip side, you can also program the Watch to show just the clock, or other more conventional watch elements like moon phases when you attach a simpler, classier looking band.
The idea here is, of course, for the Apple consumer who uses the Watch for just about every aspect of their life. Indeed, the iPhone maker has just about as many different types of bands for its smartwatch series, throughout the years since its introduction. Though for the most part, unless you belong to the more affluent part of society, you’d probably just pick your favourite band of the lot and stick with it. And if you are a member of high society, you’d probably go for conventional mechanical watches.
All in all, this tech that the patent describes makes sense for something like the Apple Watch and its multitude or bands. That being said, as is the case with patents, it still remains to be seen if this will make its way to a future model of the Apple Watch.
(Source: USPTO [PDF])
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