How Apple may be planning to redesign its smartwatch

Apple is reportedly planning to redesign Apple Watch. The company is said to be planning to replace a key design element that has been there since the very first Apple Watch launched in 2017. According to a report by Patently Apple, the US Patent & Trademark Office has published a new patent this week from Apple. The patent reveals how the company is planning to replace the Digital Crown on its smartwatch with optical sensors. The report further suggests that the sensors will be able to identify the user gestures.

“Watch with optical sensor for user input” patent shows how the company is planning to use new sensors that will allow users to scroll through the interface. The primary purpose of this new design is to add new sensors on the Apple Watch while reducing the number of moving parts in the wearable gadget. As per the patent, the optical sensors turn users’ gestures into system controls.

Removing the Digital Crown will allow the company to free up space for other components such as bigger battery and new sensors on Apple Watch. The redesign is also said to improve the smartwatch’s durability. The patent also reveals that the new optical sensors can be used to track respiratory rate, heart rate, blood oxygen level, blood pressure and more.

It is worth noting that technologies that are demonstrated in Apple patents do not always make it to the actual product. Also, if the company is planning to replace the Digital Crown, it still may take a few years. As per previous leaks, Apple Watch 8, which is set to launch in 2022, will come with new health features such as body temperature sensor. There are also rumours about a new Sports variant that claim that the watch would come with a protective exterior like Casio G-Shock watch and have impact shock resistance. The device is expected to be aimed at athletes, hikers and climbers.

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