Apple is known for continually researching and developing new technologies and accessories for its products, and the Apple Watch is no exception. Earlier this year, a patent revealed the possibility of a color-changing Apple Watch band. Now, the US Patent and Trademark Office has granted Apple a patent for an Apple Watch band with an integrated NFC module. This could lead to numerous applications, both beneficial and controversial. Here are the details…
Apple granted patent for Apple Watch NFC tech that could warn users of ‘unauthorized’ bands
The patent, first discovered by Patently Apple, describes an Apple Watch band with an integrated NFC chip, enabling communication with the Apple Watch’s internal NFC chip. This connection would allow the Apple Watch to identify the connected band and use this information for various purposes.
Some of the potential applications of this technology include dynamic user interface changes depending on the connected band. WatchOS could change watch faces or adapt the design of the current watch face to better match the color of the new band. Moreover, the Apple Watch could toggle different apps, such as the workouts app, when a specific band is connected.
The patent also suggests that this technology could be used to control unauthorized third-party Apple Watch bands. The patent states that a warning may be issued, or certain features may be disabled or modified if an unauthorized band is detected. Furthermore, specific bands may be associated with particular applications or services on the Apple Watch, activating or granting access to features related to those applications or services.
The patent goes on to describe a system where Apple Watch bands could include components other than the NFC chip, such as environmental, biometric, gesture, or inertial sensors. This broadens the scope of potential features for the Apple Watch and its accessory ecosystem. It’s essential to note that just because a technology is patented, it doesn’t guarantee its implementation in an actual product. Apple is known to patent various ideas, and not all of them become reality.
While the NFC-enabled Apple Watch bands could provide exciting new features and customization options, there’s a possibility that the technology could be used to crack down on third-party accessory makers. This raises concerns among users who appreciate more affordable alternatives to Apple’s official bands. As with any technology, the ultimate impact will depend on how Apple decides to implement it.
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