【Zoe Voss Archives】

【Zoe Voss Archives】

Apple might be Zoe Voss Archivesworking on a new way to make the Apple Watch fit even better.

The company was recently granted a new patent for a watch band that would automatically adjust to the wearer's wrist, using a mechanism included in the band or built into the watch's casing. The patent, which was first filed back in 2015, was spotted by AppleInsiderwhen it was finally approved by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

The patent describes several different ways the band could be adjusted. Some of these methods don't sound realistic, like using gas or liquid bladders in the band. But others, like connecting a tensioner mechanism to the watch's biometric sensors, sound like something Apple would consider including in a high-tech band.

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SEE ALSO: Apple pushes out a new watchOS update to fix the Series 3's LTE fails

Another method calls for Nitinol memory wire to be embedded in the band, which could receive electronic signals from the Apple Watch or its connected app to adjust the shape and fit.

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Creating an auto-adjustable band would play right into the Apple Watch's strengths, as the sensors in the device work best when the watch is touching the skin.

Apple is rumored to be hard at work on new Apple Watch tech to provide continuous, noninvasive glucose monitoring for people with diabetes. Some of those reports claim that the tech could be included in a modular band — which would likely require the type of snug fit described in the patent for the best possible monitoring.

We can't confirm that Apple is working on any new bands — the glucose monitoring reports are unconfirmed rumors, and a patent filing only means that the company has considered the idea, not that any actual development has begun. If the Apple Watch evolves into a more medically focused device, however, it would be surprising if the company doesn't improve the bands.


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