Future Apple Watch Could Say Goodbye To Physical Rotating Crown
The patent filing named ¡°Watch with optical sensor for user input¡± revealed that the crown had been replaced by an optical sensor that was capable of detecting user gestures.
One of the striking elements of an Apple Watch is its digital crown -- a round dial to the right that helps navigate through the smartwatch while also helping it look like a conventional wristwatch.
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However, it looks like Apple could be looking towards a crown-less future for the Apple Watch. This is according to a patent filing spotted by Patently Apple. The patent was filed with the US Patent & Trademark Office this week.
The patent filing named ¡°Watch with optical sensor for user input¡± revealed that the crown had been replaced by an optical sensor that was capable of detecting user gestures.
Apple mentions in the filing, ¡°For example, the user can provide motions and gestures near the input component that the input component can detect and interpret and user inputs to control an aspect of the watch. The motions and gestures provided by the user can be directly detected with optical systems of the input component so that the number of moving parts are reduced and space within the watch is more efficiently utilized.¡±
As per the filing, not only would this reduce the number of moving parts in the Apple Watch, the sensor could offer a new method of input, using them as system controls. The optical sensor could also sport a digital heart rate sensor that could allow ECG, heart rate measurements, blood oxygen levels, blood pressures etc.
Patently Apple
Apple has also highlighted that elimination of the crown would make the Apple Watch far more durable while also giving enough room on the inside to fit other components, or maybe even a larger battery -- something that every Apple Watch owner desires.
Also Read: Apple Showed Off 'Most Durable' Apple Watch Series 7, New iPad Mini At iPhone 13 Event
However, we don¡¯t really know if we¡¯ll see the elimination of the crown in the 2022 model or if ever in any future models as even though Apple has filed a patent for it, it¡¯s not an indication that it will surely bring this idea to fruition.
Would you like for the rotating crown to go away and be replaced by the optical sensor? Tell us in the comments below and keep reading Indiatimes.com for the latest science and technology news.
