Apple Watches may auto-match watch face with bands

By: Rohit Yadav

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Updated on: 22-Mar-2023

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For example, if you swap out a hot pink Apple Watch band for an earth-tone green one, the watch face will automatically change to a matching colour. This would cut out the manual customization process, which can be more annoying than it should be.

While Apple patenting something doesn’t necessarily mean we’ll see it in the future, it does show that the company is coming up with fun and exciting ideas. According to the patent, the NFC chip could also be used to launch a fitness app when you attach an athletic-style band or turn on the water-purging sound when you take off a swim band. Additionally, the NFC chip could be used to communicate with other components in the band, such as extra sensors and displays.

Although it’s uncertain whether these features will ever become available, Apple already has a lot of the necessary pieces in place. For instance, the company uses colour matching when you pair some devices like the AirPods Max or certain models of Beats with your iPhone. It also has a system for NFC-based automations via the Shortcuts app on iOS. While the Watch currently doesn’t support that, you can tap it on GymKit-enabled exercise equipment to automatically start tracking a workout and syncing fitness data.

Disadvantages

Unfortunately, there are a few potential downsides to this technology. The patent notes that the system could be used to detect whether you’re using an official Apple band or a third-party one. If the watch determines that you’re using an unauthorised band, it could provide a warning or disable certain features of the device. This could be similar to Apple’s unauthorised battery warnings, which can be frustrating if you’re using a third-party battery. However, if the technology is implemented correctly, it could provide a compelling reason to upgrade to a new Apple Watch, especially if the device is able to emulate this feature with existing hardware.

Overall, the technology described in this patent application could offer a more reliable way to customise your Apple Watch without having to go through the manual customization process. While there are a few potential drawbacks, if implemented correctly, this technology could provide a compelling reason to upgrade to a new Apple Watch.