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Apple is considering adding color sampling sensors to future Apple Watch models that would allow watch faces to match the color of the user's band and clothing (via Apple Insider).

Apple-Watch-International-AUS-BEL-BRA-Feature.jpg

In a patent this week granted by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, titled "Electronic Devices with Color Sampling Sensors," Apple describes how light sensors under the Apple Watch display could measure the color of external objects, with the aim of matching the background of the currently displayed watch face with the color of the wearer's clothing and band choice.

The patent explains how an optical sensor such as a camera, proximity sensor, ambient light sensor, fingerprint sensor, or other light-based under-screen sensor could sample colors by emitting a sequence of red, green, and blue light towards an external object placed in its line of sight and measuring the RGB reflectance levels.

Control circuitry in the watch would then apply a band-specific algorithm to the color sample and match it with a predetermined list of watch band colors, while a clothing-specific algorithm would match the clothing within a specific color gamut.

After applying constraints to possible display colors, the control circuitry would mimic the sampled color on the Apple Watch face background, for a desirable uniform look.

As with any filed patent, the technology it describes is unlikely to launch in an Apple Watch anytime in the near future, if at all, but it does offer an interesting look at how Apple is exploring ways to make its flagship smartwatch a more color-coordinated timepiece as well as a health and fitness device.

Apple is continually researching ways to extend the range of sensors in the Apple Watch, which already includes heart rate tracking, irregular heart rhythm notifications, the ECG app, blood oxygen measuring, fall detection, and more.

In 2020, CEO Tim Cook said Apple is still "in the early innings" with the device, noting that the company is testing "mind blowing" capabilities in its labs, although not everything will see the light of day. "Think about the amount of sensors in your car," said Cook, adding "and arguably, your body is much more important than your car."

In February, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reported that Apple has made major progress with its noninvasive blood glucose monitoring technology, allowing diabetics and others to test their blood glucose levels without needing to prick the skin for blood testing. However, it is still said to be several years away from being introduced in a future Apple Watch model.

Article Link: Future Apple Watch Sensors May Match Watch Face Color to Your Band and Clothes
 
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Nice gimmick but multi-iPhone support for one Apple Watch would be way cooler.

Imagine you connect your Apple Watch to your iPhone from Work and the interface, apps, settings etc. automatically change to the one related to this iPhone. Connecting your Apple Watch to your personal iPhone would automatically switch out everything to your private settings etc
 
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Nice gimmick but multi-iPhone support for one Apple Watch would be way cooler.

Imagine you connect your Apple Watch to your iPhone from Work and the interface, apps, settings etc. automatically change to the one related to this iPhone. Connecting your Apple Watch to your personal iPhone would automatically switch out everything to your private settings etc
but timmy rather sell you (or your company) an extra watch
 
I’d just like something slimmer , like Jony Ive used to obsess about in the old days
I assume this is what will be happening. The iPhone always had those iterations in front of our eyes, but the Watch basically never changed drastically. The Apple Watch X, or whatever it will be called, will bring a dramatic change in thickness.
 
I assume this is what will be happening. The iPhone always had those iterations in front of our eyes, but the Watch basically never changed drastically. The Apple Watch X, or whatever it will be called, will bring a dramatic change in thickness.
is the weight an issue for people? I've never felt my AW4 is obtrusive or heavy and it's about 5 generations old now.
 
is the weight an issue for people? I've never felt my AW4 is obtrusive or heavy and it's about 5 generations old now.
I don't think this is about weight at all. Sure, the stainless model is a bit heavier than aluminum but it could certainly be thinner on the wrist which would look nicer. But I don't know how much they can actually reduce, considering the Digital Crown is still there.
 
Always wondered why they didn't already do this e.g. with the diagnostics port in the earl watches.
Wirelessly this could also be easily done with some NFC chip in the band. Should be pretty cheap to do (you find these today even in business cards that you can simply tap to get the contact on your phone) and Apple will for sure find nice ways to make this cool.

If you have different bands for different times of the day, this could automatically switch focus and watch face – Nike sports band puts the workout stuff in front of me, stainless steel puts work in focus, braided loop puts on do not disturb mode on everything work related…
 


Apple is considering adding color sampling sensors to future Apple Watch models that would allow watch faces to match the color of the user's band and clothing (via Apple Insider).

Apple-Watch-International-AUS-BEL-BRA-Feature.jpg

In a patent this week granted by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, titled "Electronic Devices with Color Sampling Sensors," Apple describes how light sensors under the Apple Watch display could measure the color of external objects, with the aim of matching the background of the currently displayed watch face with the color of the wearer's clothing and band choice.

The patent explains how an optical sensor such as a camera, proximity sensor, ambient light sensor, fingerprint sensor, or other light-based under-screen sensor could sample colors by emitting a sequence of red, green, and blue light towards an external object placed in its line of sight and measuring the RGB reflectance levels.

Control circuitry in the watch would then apply a band-specific algorithm to the color sample and match it with a predetermined list of watch band colors, while a clothing-specific algorithm would match the clothing within a specific color gamut.

After applying constraints to possible display colors, the control circuitry would mimic the sampled color on the Apple Watch face background, for a desirable uniform look.

As with any filed patent, the technology it describes is unlikely to launch in an Apple Watch anytime in the near future, if at all, but it does offer an interesting look at how Apple is exploring ways to make its flagship smartwatch a more color-coordinated timepiece as well as a health and fitness device.

Apple is continually researching ways to extend the range of sensors in the Apple Watch, which already includes heart rate tracking, irregular heart rhythm notifications, the ECG app, blood oxygen measuring, fall detection, and more.

In 2020, CEO Tim Cook said Apple is still "in the early innings" with the device, noting that the company is testing "mind blowing" capabilities in its labs, although not everything will see the light of day. "Think about the amount of sensors in your car," said Cook, adding "and arguably, your body is much more important than your car."

In February, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reported that Apple has made major progress with its noninvasive blood glucose monitoring technology, allowing diabetics and others to test their blood glucose levels without needing to prick the skin for blood testing. However, it is still said to be several years away from being introduced in a future Apple Watch model.

Article Link: Future Apple Watch Sensors May Match Watch Face Color to Your Band and Clothes
This isn't new. The iPhone already does this with the Apple leather cases. If you attach a red case, you get a red MagSafe logo appear. If you attach a green case you get a green MagSafe logo etc. Been happening for the last 2 years
 
If BMW has a car that can change its colour, it should not be too complicated to build a watch band that can do that. It will be bad for watch band sales though.
 
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Reactions: Tech for Kings
If BMW has a car that can change its colour, it should not be too complicated to build a watch band that can do that. It will be bad for watch band sales though.
Based on the article, it is the watch face that would change color, not the band. Potentially the color of your clothing or of the watch band could trigger the change in the watch face color. Nothing about changing band colors that I could see in the article.
 
But jeez. Now people will fight over "rare" wristbands to get cool watch faces.
That's enough capitalism for one day, thanks.
 
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