Apple recently realized that it could make its watches even smarter by adding sensors to the band and watch face. The report shows that on November 5, 2024, the Cupertino-based company received 38 patents from the US Patent and Trademark Office for a “smart health and connectivity band for Apple Watch and future headset.”
The patent refers to an elastic fabric product with an opening to wrap around a certain part of the body. The strap can include sensor circuitry for measuring various health data, such as “measuring electrocardiogram, blood pressure, or respiratory rate.”
The most interesting thing here is that the bracelet doesn’t have to be a wristband. It can be any sporty stretchy fabric that can be worn, such as “a headband, hat, underwear, shirt, pants, shorts, yoga or other sports attire, arm band, elastic belt, sock, glove” and so on. However, the patent is more focused on the bracelet and headband. So, while it’s possible that Apple will release entirely new devices with health sensors, it’s more likely that either the Apple Watch will get smarter or the Apple Vision Pro will get additional health tracking capabilities.
The patent also includes additional uses for the smart band (via TechRadar). It claims that the circuitry along the fabric could enable wireless charging and “wireless communication with external electronic equipment.” The latter indicates the possibility of connecting to other Apple devices (MacBook, iPhone, AirPods). We’ve seen how big Apple is when it comes to ecosystem integration, and it makes sense that “external electronic equipment” would be its own offering.
This is not the first time Apple has filed patents for smart fabric. About a month ago, it filed an application for touch-sensitive smart textiles, and before that – once in 2022 and 2019. If Apple’s plans come to fruition, time will tell how successful they will be. Looking at the massive failure of the Apple Vision Pro, it is clear why Apple is trying to revive it. It is interesting how the new health features will affect its price, given that it is already prohibitively high.
As for the Apple Watch, given that it is already one of the company’s successful offerings, I wonder if it will not be overkill with additional sensors. The recent introduction of artificial intelligence into every other product released this year has shown us that too much of something is not always appreciated.
