APPLE

The brand's next smartwatches will lose the Digital Crown, which will be replaced by an optical sensor

Since the first generation of the Apple Watch, announced in 2014, the company has equipped branded smartwatches with a physical controller called Coroa Digital. According to a new company patent entitled “A watch with an optical sensor for user input”, the familiar wheel could soon be replaced by a touch panel.

The patent shows a watch with an optical sensor in place of the Digital Crown. Apparently, it will be able to provide all the same functionality as physical control, allowing the user to navigate the device's menu. However, the use of an optical sensor, in theory, will allow for much better protection of the smartwatch against water and dirt ingress into the case. The absence of moving parts will give Apple the ability to make the smartwatch fully sealed. This technology is likely to become part of a secure version of the Apple Watch, which analysts expect to be released next year. According to the patent, the optical sensor will not only be able to detect direct touches, but it will also be able to detect gestures at different distances from the sensor. Unfortunately, the fact that Apple has patented such technology in no way guarantees that it will be implemented in Apple's products in the near future.

Image source: Apple patent