Apple Patent Details Modular Smart Bands for Apple Watch

Apple has filed a patent application hinting that the company could be working on modular smart bands for the Apple Watch, allowing users to add functions such as wireless charging battery packs and GPS receivers to an existing timepiece (via AppleInsider).

The application, titled "Modular functional band links for wearable devices", was published yesterday by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and details strap designs with embedded electronic devices that connect via the Apple Watch's diagnostics port.

Rather than building complex components into the Apple Watch chassis, the designs propose breaking functional units out into a range of separate watch band 'links' that can work serially or in parallel.

Apple Watch smart band patent
A number of Apple Watch accessories with added functionality are described in the patent, including batteries, displays, processors, electricity generators, GPS sensors, cameras, thermometers, blood pressure sensors, sweat sensors and speakers.

Arranged as links, the modules would connect to each other and to the 6-pin diagnostics port on the Apple Watch. In some cases, links also act as an external port for accepting electronic components, such as a SIM card or powered memory module.

Even before the launch of the Apple Watch, the inclusion of a diagnostics port on the device fueled speculation that Apple is planning to bring smart band accessories to market at some point in the future. However, if the patent is indicative of upcoming Apple Watch products, such a significant extension of functionality would more likely be held back for inclusion in a second-generation device. Apple Watch 2 is expected to launch later in the year.

Apple refreshed its Apple Watch lineup on March 21, 2016, introducing new spring colors in yellows, blues, and pinks, along with new Nylon Apple Watch bands.

Related Roundup: Apple Watch 10
Buyer's Guide: Apple Watch (Neutral)

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Top Rated Comments

Crosscreek Avatar
118 months ago
The hell with the watch bands. How about some Macs.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Oblivious.Robot Avatar
118 months ago
I hope this will be available to the current edition users too!

Edit - lol, shouldn't have typed edition (I wish I was a Saudi Prince), but first generation users! :D
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TonyC28 Avatar
118 months ago
Kinda like this:
http://m.chooseblocks.com

pretty cool
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
joueboy Avatar
118 months ago
Well bring it on! The only reason I don't have the iWatch yet is the GPS. Yes, I don't want to carry my iPhone 6s Plus with me while I'm running.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
T-Will Avatar
118 months ago
Hey Apple, how about not charging $50 bucks for woven nylon bands that use plastic lugs that don't slide into the watch smoothly and feel like a Chinese knock-off.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
danmart Avatar
118 months ago
I don't understand how they can patent a concept like this when other people are already producing smart bands?

What is the threshold for receiving a patent in the US?
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)