Apple has received a US patent for wristbands with NFC chips. Depending on the color, the hue of the Apple Watch display would change, but it would also be possible to activate certain functions automatically. It would also be a way for Apple to control counterfeiting by removing certain features when “fake bracelets” are used.
The Watch Ultra in a link bracelet // Source: Anthony Wonner – Frandroid
Apple still has no shortage of ideas to improve its products but also to limit counterfeiting. The brand has received a patent from the United States Patent and Trademark Office. The novelty for the next bracelets of its connected watches: an NFC chip that would offer more automation, for sports users or not.
Change the strap color and the watch will change color
The patent covers adding an NFC module to the end of an Apple Watch strap. It could come into contact with a new NFC module in the watch case. At this point, the screen immediately took on the color of the bracelet. You can change the Apple Watch screen theme color today, but not automatically. Features like this already exist in Apple’s ecosystem. Take AirPods Max for example: different colors are offered and when you pair them or connect them to your iPhone, the corresponding color will appear on the screen.
The sports bracelet made of silicone. // Source: Frandroid – Anthony Wonner
This use presented by Apple goes even further: for example, if you attach a bracelet dedicated to sporting activity (e.g. the orange of the Apple Watch Ultra), a sports application could be launched directly or the screen reception could be linked to a sporting use adjust.
Schematic of Apple Watch bracelet system with NFC chip // Source: Patent filed by Apple
Another detailed overview: If you put on a swimming bracelet, the Apple Watch can activate water protection functions (especially water flushing). There is also the integration of health, environmental, biometrics, gesture, communication, audio output sensors, etc. Thanks to the use of NFC in bracelets, the manufacturer could integrate almost anything it wants into its Apple Watch and use the bracelets as view “smart” extensions to their watch.
New bracelets, new security system for the Apple Watch
As Patently Apple states, this patent also includes a security system. Because the watch needs to control the straps to change color, it also needs to make sure the strap is “official” and sold by Apple or authorized props. In the documentation that Apple has provided to the US office, one can read that “if it is determined that a wristband paired with the device is not an authorized wristband, an alert may be issued using an output component of the device and/ or one or more features of the device may be disabled or otherwise modified”. A warning may also appear on the watch screen.
The Apple Watch Series 8 strap system // Source: Chloé Pertuis for Frandroid
Apple’s justification relates to security: a third-party strap may not be properly attached to an Apple Watch, which could damage it. The upside is that Apple could benefit greatly from these new bracelets. On its website, the smallest model is sold for 49 euros, while you can find it in prop shops for less than 10 euros. This patent could put an end to these unofficial products and benefit others. The opportunity also for Apple to raise prices as it will cost more to manufacture.
But beware: this is a patent, which does not necessarily mean that Apple will use its new ideas. The brand could very well abandon this project if it doesn’t feel like it’s going to be profitable.
To follow us, we invite you to download our Android and iOS application. You can read our articles and files and watch our latest YouTube videos.