Between the first version released in 2015 and the one that the company presented at the end of 2021, the Apple Watch has continued to evolve. However, there are some things that have not changed, such as the shape of the screen or the presence of the crown on the side which makes it easier to navigate on the watch.
However, according to an article published recently by our colleagues at 9to5Mac, this crown would be doomed to disappear and be replaced by an optical sensor. The article relays a patent application that Apple has filed with the American authority and which describes “Watch with optical sensor for user input”.
Navigate Apple Watch with gestures
In essence, the document would explain how Apple could use this sensor, interpret the user’s gestures and allow the user to navigate on the smartwatch. But why get rid of the crown? Apparently, this would make the product more durable and the optical system would take up less space.
“The movements and gestures provided by the user can be directly detected with the optical systems of the input component, so that the number of moving parts is reduced and the space inside the watch is used more effectively “, would indicate the document of Apple.
And that’s not all. This optical sensor could be used for other functions, such as measuring heart rate, respiratory rate, or even the oxygen level.
Probably on the Apple Watch 8
But of course, the existence of this patent does not allow us to say that Apple will actually replace its iconic crown with an optical system. Indeed, companies like Apple have a lot of intellectual property that is not being used. And even if Apple wants to use this optical system, its implementation could still take years.
In any case, what is clear is that Apple must constantly find innovations to offer on its new Apple Watch. Moreover, currently other rumors are circulating about the novelties that the firm could offer on its watches. For example, according to one of these rumors, the company could equip the Apple Watch with a sensor capable of measuring the level of sugar in the blood, as well as the level of alcohol.
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