A new patent shows that Apple is working on a new way to make buying an Apple Watch or an Apple Watch band much easier.
You’ll know that while some Apple Watch bands and straps can be bought with complete confidence that they will fit (the Sport Band or Sport Loop are easy to pick, for instance), others require precision choices to be sure you’ve got the right one. In particular, bands like the Solo Loop and Braided Solo Loop are so perfectly sized that they are unforgiving if you make a mistake.
Similarly, choosing the Watch that’s going to suit your wrist best could do with a bit of improvement.
A newly revealed patent, spotted by Patently Apple, shows a new way to ensure that you have measured your wrist to ensure the perfect fit. There are two patents, actually, and one of them uses Augmented Reality (AR) to work.
Right now, there are clever ways to choose the right size band. If you’re buying online, Apple has a measuring tool which you can print out. Cut the paper marker out and wrap it around your wrist, and the place the two ends of the paper meet shows the size you need.
Or, if you’re in an Apple Store, there’s an elegant band with weighted end that makes it straightforward to know what size you are.
But the patent takes this process to a new level.
Apple, as you’ll know is into Augmented Reality (AR) big-time. And one of its applications of this technology is Measure, on the iPhone and iPad. So, this new patent describes how a similar approach is being taken with customers’ wrists. Indeed, the app is mentioned in this patent.