Prototype Apple Watch Suggests That Apple Might Have Explored Smart Bands

The Apple Watch features interchangeable bands, as is the case with most watches, but it seems that maybe at some point in time, Apple could have explored the idea of smart bands. These are bands for the Apple Watch that do more than just strap the watch to your wrist and could have the potential to give the watch more capabilities.

This is according to a tweet by Giulio Zompetti who collects rare Apple devices. In the photo he shared on Twitter, Zompetti revealed what he claims is a prototype unit of the Apple Watch Series 3 where hidden in the recess of the slot for the watch’s band are two circular dots that seem to be similar to that of the Smart Connectors used in Apple’s iPad.

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Apple might have experimented on some “smart bands” in earlier revisions of Apple Watch S3.

On this prototype unit, two unusual pads are exposed to the band, as a sort of “Smart Connector” we’ve already seen on iPads.#AppleCollection #AppleWatch pic.twitter.com/uVFZHuvuAe

— Giulio Zompetti (@1nsane_dev) June 24, 2021

This has led to speculation that maybe Apple had planned to use those connectors for a smart band. Now it should be noted that this is the Series 3 watch which means that it is kind of old and since we haven’t seen anything from Apple since, it might be safe to assume that this is a plan that the company might have scrapped.

However, what’s interesting about this discovery is that back in 2017, which was when the Series 3 was launched, there was an Apple patent that was discovered that hinted at smart bands. Obviously none of this has come to pass and we’re not sure if it will, but it’s still fun to think about the what-ifs.

Tyler Lee
Categories: Apple, Gadgets
Tags: Apple Watch, Smartwatch, Wearable Tech