Apple Watch 'Magnetic Wristband' Patent Could Double as Protective Case

[MacRumors]

The United States Patent and Trademark Office today published a patent filed by Apple last August, which detailed an Apple Watch band accessory that could double as a "protective cover" for the device itself when not on a user's wrist (via AppleInsider). Referred to as the "Magnetic wristband," the accessory would be similar in function to the Leather and Milanese Loop bands sold today but include multiple "configurations" to introduce more utility to users.

The first configuration would essentially turn the band into the Apple Watch's own protective casing, coiling around the device and linking together magnetically the same way it would when placed on a wrist. The patent iterates on the fact that when removed, the Apple Watch "can be subjected to even greater forces and damage than when worn by the user," and as such, a way to protect the wearable device without any outside, third-party equipment could be greatly beneficial to each wearer.

Another configuration of the proposed band includes multiple ways to display the watch when it's not in use on a wrist. Using the band's magnetic technology, Apple's patent proposes simple solutions of being able to attach the entire product onto surfaces like a refrigerator or computer's bezel to keep it in sight. Another idea suggests the magnetic wristband could be rolled up into itself to create a sort of on-the-fly stand for the Apple Watch.

As with any patent story, the magnetic wristband is far from a confirmed lock for the upcoming "Apple Watch 2," but since it's long been rumored the company will most likely introduce new bands for the second generation device, it is an interesting possibility of where Apple could go with the wearable this year. With news surrounding the possible start of a trial production run on the next Apple Watch as early as this month, it's not too long that users should have to wait for the official announcement of the device. Current estimates place the reveal in March with a launch in April.

Article Link: Apple Watch 'Magnetic Wristband' Patent Could Double as Protective Case

 

[tigertazz]

I might be in the minority, but if my watch is off its on its charger and doesn't need a protective strap case

 

[runeapple]

I might be in the minority, but if my watch is off its on its charger and doesn't need a protective strap case

I don't think you're in the minority, plus I find these pretty durable anyway, I only have the sport model and I bash it on lots of things and not a single mark on it (And I wouldn't expect any different!)

 

[AlliFlowers]

And why would you need a way to display the watch when it's not on your wrist? It doesn't do anything if it's not on your wrist.

 

[rdlink]

I might be in the minority, but if my watch is off its on its charger and doesn't need a protective strap case

I don't think you're in the minority, plus I find these pretty durable anyway, I only have the sport model and I bash it on lots of things and not a single mark on it (And I wouldn't expect any different!)

My sport isn't pristine, as I have some knicks and scratches on it (I'm hard on watches). But I will say that it gets a lot more abuse on my wrist than it does when I'm not wearing it. I take it off and put it on my Incipio nightstand charger. No trauma or drama.

 

[2457282]

I might be in the minority, but if my watch is off its on its charger and doesn't need a protective strap case

I am the same. I take it off while showering or sleeping. It is on my wrist at all other times. I do think it would be good if based on the way the strap is curled it knows to display the time or something. Taking off the watch (and not putting it on the charger) pretty much disables it now, but if it knew to go into a mode that made limited functions work, I think that would be a nice future feature.

 

[grayskyz]

My sport isn't pristine, as I have some knicks and scratches on it (I'm hard on watches). But I will say that it gets a lot more abuse on my wrist than it does when I'm not wearing it. I take it off and put it on my Incipio nightstand charger. No trauma or drama.

I was with you guys on this notion up until yesterday, I usually get a bit over two days use of my watch between charges and yesterday I found myself with no juice so I went to toss it into my bag and had to do a bit of rearranging to make sure my watch didn't get scratched up on my commute home. Would have been cool to wrap the band around and snap into place and I wouldn't have given it a second thought. It's an interesting feature but, not a selling point exactly.

A lot of these types of patents have to do with stopping other companies from using that idea.

 

[npmacuser5]

And why would you need a way to display the watch when it's not on your wrist? It doesn't do anything if it's not on your wrist.

For those who travel a good deal, a nightstand without the nightstand (less to pack and loose), protected when packing or going through security, etc. Some thoughts.

 

[thekeyring]

And why would you need a way to display the watch when it's not on your wrist? It doesn't do anything if it's not on your wrist.

Currently.

 

[StevenPG]

I might be in the minority, but if my watch is off its on its charger and doesn't need a protective strap case

Pocket watch maybe?

 

[rdlink]

I was with you guys on this notion up until yesterday, I usually get a bit over two days use of my watch between charges and yesterday I found myself with no juice so I went to toss it into my bag and had to do a bit of rearranging to make sure my watch didn't get scratched up on my commute home. Would have been cool to wrap the band around and snap into place and I wouldn't have given it a second thought. It's an interesting feature but, not a selling point exactly.

A lot of these types of patents have to do with stopping other companies from using that idea.

I guess my move in that case would have been to leave it on my wrist and wear it home.

 

[Apple Knowledge Navigator]

Shouldn't the article's title be Apple Patents 'Magnetic Wristband' That Could Double as Protective Case ?

 

[grayskyz]

I guess my move in that case would have been to leave it on my wrist and wear it home.

I thought it was silly to wear broken watch as a kid and even more so one without a battery.

 

[MH01]

I thought it was silly to wear broken watch as a kid and even more so one without a battery.

By default the Apple Watch screen is off, no one could tell the watch ran out of battery. Just on the trip Home.

 

[grayskyz]

By default the Apple Watch screen is off, no one could tell the watch ran out of battery. Just on the trip Home.

I would know.

 

[BarracksSi]

Okay, so let's say the watch can run its display and do its usual functions when you have it draped over your laptop's display.

Wouldn't it block part of the screen?

Aren't the notifications -- emails, texts, and phone calls -- also coming through to the iCloud-connected laptop?

The one benefit I could see would be if Apple added a charging puck to the laptop display's bezel. I don't see it happening, though, not if they want to keep the bezel thin and narrow.

The idea also doesn't accommodate Watches with the Link Bracelet.

 

[grayskyz]

We all know that sometimes it's not about coming to market with an invention, sometimes it's about not letting others come to market with it. There's a lot of patents that are only about that. "We may not use it but, neither will you without paying us" is an industry all by itself.