“The only concrete wearable news from [Apple’s WWDC] conference was the unveiling of watchOS 3 – the updated smartwatch platform that will hit devices in the fall,” Paul Lamkin reports for Forbes. “However, that hasn’t stopped the Apple Watch 2 rumour mill from spinning, with fuel being added to the fire by way of some interesting new patents that have turned up.”
“In particular, a patent that details the potential use of camera(s) in future Apple Watch models. ‘The camera can be disposed on the front surface of Apple Watch face to capture images of the user,’ reads the patent uncovered by Patently Apple,” Lamkin reports. “The original Apple Watch lacked the lenses required to take snaps or do FaceTime video calling.”
“Patents suggest that the Crown could be touch-sensitive using capacitive touch technologies that can received pressurized inputs, while at the same time move in one or more directions to offer multiple gesture-based control methods,” Lamkin reports. “The patent also reveals that two more buttons, also with capacitive skills, could hit the left hand side of the bezel.”
Read more in the full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: How cool would it be if our first gen. Apple Watches are the only ones with these types of mechanical inputs (Digital Crown) and button setup? They’d be unique like the first generations of iPod.
As for a camera on the wrist, bring it on! It’d be cool and useful if the camera could be secured geofenced off for enterprise and government use.
SEE ALSO:
Why Apple should NOT add a camera to Apple Watch 2 – June 22, 2015
Apple Watch 2 to feature FaceTime camera, iPhone-free Wi-Fi, premium-priced $1000+ models, sources say – June 18, 2015
Apple Watch 2 to look like original on the outside – April 12, 2016
Dick Tracy.
I’d love a camera on my watch…if only they can somehow avoid the Google Glass syndrome. Really, taking a pic from your wrist or your iPhone is not that far apart…video, though, there will be an uprising on privacy.
Maybe so, but it seems difficult to believe. One of the mantras of the watch team is that no action should require holding the wrist up for more than a few seconds. This was repeated by Craig Federighi as recently as his post-keynote appearance on The Talk Show.
Also, these are patents, and thus no indication Apple will actually _do_ any of this any time soon.
I DON’T want a camera on my wrist. My phone does the trick very nicely. My SE is perfect for that.
I want GPS, more biometrics, WiFi/cellular communication, stronger battery, thinner body. A camera is not on my top ten list for the next watch.
Oh, and APPLE, while you are providing me with the above features in Watch 2, please design the next Pro Mac to my earlier specifications. Thank you, and keep up the good work.
Dick Tracy…..indeed.
If you have a camera on your wrist, consider this:
You DON’T HAVE TO take your I-Phone out of your pocket, to answer the call, and SEE the person your talking to. Think of having a bag of groceries,,, Watch rings… you TURN your wrist, and answer !
Now, isn’t that better than fumbling around, dropping stuff out of your bag, trying to get at your Phone?
That’s good enough to be a commercial.