“Apple on Tuesday was granted a patent detailing a modular accessories system for Apple Watch that disguises electrical components like batteries, biometric sensors, solar cells and more as links in the wearable’s metal band,” Mikey Campbell reports for AppleInsider.
“As granted by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, Apple’s U.S. Patent No. 9,553,625 for ‘Modular functional band links for wearable devices’ details a method by which Apple can greatly expand Apple Watch’s capabilities after initial sale, thus prolonging platform longevity,” Campbell reports. “The invention involves modular links that contain working electronic components. The miniature devices are fashioned after traditional watch band links like those found in Apple’s Link Bracelet, and attach one to the next via flexible conductive material.”
Campbell reports, “Apple mentions a number possible devices for inclusion in the link design including batteries, photovoltaic cells, electricity generators, cameras, haptic output devices, speakers and more.”
Read more in the full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: Apple Smartbands™.
• Whoever comes up with an accurate Apple Watch smartband that acts as a non-invasive blood glucose monitor (reverse iontophoresis) is going to make a mint. — MacDailyNews, August 24, 2015
• Oh yes, let there be add-on GPS, battery extenders, and more! The thought of wearing our Apple Watch Sports but also having to lug around our iPhones on runs just for the GPS is unpalatable. — MacDailyNews, March 5, 2015
• We can’t wait to see where the future leads for Apple Watch especially in the areas of speed (apps need to respond faster) and independence (less reliance on iPhone, perhaps via Apple “smartbands” that deliver things like GPS tracking for runners, extended battery life, etc.) — MacDailyNews, December 17, 2015
• We would love to see Apple launch Apple Smartbands that add sensor and other functionality to Apple Watch. An Apple GPS Smartband and an Apple Battery Smartband, right now, would sell like wildfire. It’s a missed opportunity for the original Apple Watch’s first Christmas, but we hope to see such items in 2016. — MacDailyNews, December 11, 2015
• If Apple were to release a range of “Apple Smartbands” for the existing Apple Watch, starting with the “Apple Smartband GPS,” they would sell millions more Apple Watch units with this move alone. — MacDailyNews, February 19, 2016
SEE ALSO:
Apple Watch models could get slimmer as Apple patent reveals haptic motor in wristband – December 22, 2016
Analyst: Apple smartbands are a part of the Apple Watch’s future – April 8, 2016
Apple patent application hints at Apple Watch ‘Smartbands’ utilizing hidden 6-pin data connector – February 20, 2016
Apple likely to debut new Apple Watch bands at March event – January 27, 2016
‘Smartbands’ won’t stop Apple from releasing new Apple Watches every year – August 24, 2015
Charging the Apple Watch using its 6-pin accessory port – May 28, 2015
Apple Watch houses mysterious six-contact data connection port – March 5, 2015
Apple Watch’s hidden port a goldmine for developers, accessory makers – May 4, 2015
I just want a watch the delivers what was promised, that lasts longer than 366 days.
“Apple can greatly expand Apple Watch’s capabilities after initial sale, thus prolonging platform longevity,”
So why can’t we upgrade the GPU in the Mac Pro? Apple plans to “prolong platform longevity’ for a watch but not for a PRO machine (which they haven’t updated for 4 years btw). Because we can’t ” expand (GPU) capabilities” of the MP , today a midrange PC card can be 5 times the power of the Cylinder.
(and no external Thunderbolt 2 GPU boxes aren’t the MP solution as they are slower than the PCIe bus on 6 year old cheese grater pros)
Tim Cook talks about making Apple ‘ethical’ , about caring about minorities yet he doesn’t care about minorities who are CUSTOMERS , who bought into Apple’s MARKETING SPIEL over the years that Apple’s was dedicated to the pro market. Some investing thousands into the pro ecosystem are now left to rot because ‘trucks’ aren’t fashionista enough for their designers (who worry about Watch Bands, Coffee Table books and electronic Christmas Trees) to give a shit ? that’s ‘ethical’ ?
and btw Macs make TWICE the revenues of the ‘other products’ category that includes Watch, Apple TV, accessories like headphones etc .