The patent, which was fi led in August 2011, is titled ‘Bi-stable spring with fl exible display’. Such a spring could eliminate the need for clips or buckles to fasten a fl exible computer around the wrist, by acting like a ‘slap bracelet’. “The slap bracelet consists of layered fl exible steel bands sealed within a fabric cover,” explains Apple. “Typical slap bracelets are roughly one inch in width by nine inches in length.
In a first equilibrium position they can be fl at. The second equilibrium is typically reached by slapping the flat embodiment across the wrist, at which point the bracelet curls around the wrist and stays relatively secure in a roughly circular position.” A flexible display and other electrical components would be embedded into the slap bracelet to become a wearable computer, such as an Apple smart watch, dubbed ‘iWatch’. One size fits all
Apple’s proposed iWatch will have the ability to switch off unused portions of the screen if hidden underneath the snap bracelet while being worn by a smaller user, making it a ‘one size fits all’ device. When being worn, the device appears to be an uninterrupted screen that uses sensors to ensure the information being displayed is oriented towards the user. It can also communicate with other devices, such as an iPhone or iPad, wirelessly through Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, but could have wired connectors for charging and syncing.
Apple says the battery could be divided into portions that are placed in disparate locations in the iWatch, or alternatively, it could be a replaceable battery that’s accessible by the user. Apple even suggests the iWatch could be powered by a solarpanel that’s spread across the surface of the device to extend its battery life, or a kinetic source that generates power from being worn on the wrist.
Apple notes that, in addition to managing texts and phone calls, and giving access to music playlists, the iWatch could be used for map viewing. While wearing the iWatch, users could be alerted to notifications by a blinking blue light, and the device could display bright patterns on its screen for use while riding a bike at night time to make the wearer more visible. A second patent published the following week also added to the speculation about an Apple smart watch. It covers the exchange of location data between a portable device and an accessory, such as a wearable computer.
Massive potential
If those patents aren’t enough to convince you, reports from Bloomberg suggest that Apple has a team of at least 100 designers working such device, and the Wall Street Journal and New York Times have also claimed Apple is working on a wristwatch-like device.
Analysts have forecast the market for wearable computing devices like the iWatch will hit nearly half a billion units within the next fi ve years, with the arrival of smart glasses like Google Glass expected later this year too. A survey of Macworld readers found that one in three would be interested in buying an Apple iWatch, while 44 percent said they don’t need one.
There are already some smart watch products available from the likes of companies such as Pebble and MetaWatch, both of which have said that the potential ‘iWatch’ doesn’t scare them, because the speculation could bring salesboosting attention to the new market.
Source . iPad iPhone User Issue .72
