HACKINTOSH.ORG | Macintosh discussion forums

Apple Watch Series 3 Prototype May Show Contacts for Potential 'Smart Bands'

Apple may have tested "Smart Bands" for the Apple Watch, according to a new image of a prototype device.





(https://images.macrumors.com/article-new/2021/06/apple-watch-series-3-contacts-prototype.jpg)


The image, shared by developer and prototype collector Giulio Zompetti (https://twitter.com/1nsane_dev/status/1408010357298319360?s=20), shows two metal contacts inside an Apple Watch Series 3 prototype's band slot, either side of the diagnostic port. Zompetti postulated that the "two unusual pads are exposed to the band," and may be a kind of iPad-like "Smart Connector (https://www.macrumors.com/guide/smart-connector/)," much like those from various iPad (https://www.macrumors.com/roundup/ipad/) models, used to accommodate a "Smart Band."





Apple has filed a large number of patents around smart Apple Watch bands, indicating that it is something that the company has actively considered. Some patents showed how features such as biometric authentication, self-tightening, and LED progress indicators (https://www.macrumors.com/2019/09/03/apple-watch-smart-bands-patents/) could be integrated into a band, while others explained a modular approach (https://www.macrumors.com/2016/04/01/patent-modular-smart-bands-for-apple-watch/) with batteries, displays, cameras, blood pressure sensors, and more.





The Apple Watch's hidden diagnostic port was once speculated to facilitate Smart Bands (https://www.macrumors.com/2015/03/05/apple-watch-diagnostic-port/). At the time, the diagnostic connector, which is purportedly based on the design of the Lightning connector, was said to be capable of supporting future accessories.





Third-party accessory makers were able to develop an external battery band (https://www.macrumors.com/2015/05/04/reserve-strap-new-design/) that could charge the Apple Watch through the diagnostic port (https://www.macrumors.com/2015/05/27/apple-watch-charging-through-diagnostic-port/), but changes to the Apple Watch's software (https://www.macrumors.com/2016/04/18/reserve-strap-suspends-shipments/) prevented the strap from ever coming to market. However, other smart bands not reliant on the diagnostic port have become available (https://www.macrumors.com/2020/01/06/aura-smart-strap-apple-watch/) in recent years.





In the past, Zompetti has shared images of prototype versions of the original Apple Watch (https://www.macrumors.com/2020/04/14/original-apple-watch-prototypes/), first-generation iPad (https://www.macrumors.com/2021/03/29/apple-planned-ipad-with-two-ports/), third-generation iPod touch (https://www.macrumors.com/2020/05/27/prototype-third-gen-ipod-touch/), and iPhone 12 Pro (https://www.macrumors.com/2021/01/13/iphone-12-pro-prototype-photos/).<div class="linkback">Related Roundup: Apple Watch Series 6 (https://www.macrumors.com/roundup/apple-watch/)</div><div class="linkback">Buyer's Guide: Apple Watch (Caution) (https://buyersguide.macrumors.com/#Apple_Watch)</div><div class="linkback">Related Forum: Apple Watch (https://forums.macrumors.com/forums/apple-watch.172)</div>
This article, &quot;Apple Watch Series 3 Prototype May Show Contacts for Potential 'Smart Bands' (https://www.macrumors.com/2021/06/24/apple-watch-prototype-may-show-smart-band-contacts/)&quot; first appeared on MacRumors.com (https://www.macrumors.com)

Discuss this article (https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/apple-watch-series-3-prototype-may-show-contacts-for-potential-smart-bands.2302140/) in our forums

<div class="feedflare">
<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MacRumors-Front?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img> (http://feeds.macrumors.com/~ff/MacRumors-Front?a=x2Y1uL2DQZg:hPXZUJinFGw:yIl2AUoC8zA) <img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MacRumors-Front?d=6W8y8wAjSf4" border="0"></img> (http://feeds.macrumors.com/~ff/MacRumors-Front?a=x2Y1uL2DQZg:hPXZUJinFGw:6W8y8wAjSf4) <img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MacRumors-Front?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img> (http://feeds.macrumors.com/~ff/MacRumors-Front?a=x2Y1uL2DQZg:hPXZUJinFGw:qj6IDK7rITs)
</div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/MacRumors-Front/~4/x2Y1uL2DQZg" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>

Source: Apple Watch Series 3 Prototype May Show Contacts for Potential 'Smart Bands' (https://www.macrumors.com/2021/06/24/apple-watch-prototype-may-show-smart-band-contacts/)