Apple was granted a patent for a smart watch, further fueling speculation that it is working on an "iWatch."
The device, which is rumored to come out this fall, has features that are similar to other smart watches out in the market. It has Bluetooth transceivers, an accelerometer, a touchscreen and a GPS receiver.
In a filing published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, Apple was granted a patent for a "wrist-worn electronic device and methods thereof." The smart watch, which was called "iTime" in one the illustrations, may be used with a variety of configurations between the wristband and the removable module.
"The invention pertains to an electronic wristwatch. According to one embodiment, an electronic wristband can provide additional electrical circuitry or devices that can be made available for use as or with an electronic device. In one embodiment, the electronic device can be a mobile electronic device that can be removably coupled to the electronic wristband which provides the additional circuitry or devices," the filing read.
This means that the smart watch can be connected to mobile devices like iPhones and iPads. It can also be connected with computers. The electronic wristband mentioned in the filing is meant to fit with a small removable hardware module. It's not clear if the module would be the iPod nano. If so, the possible device would be similar to the popular watchbands that were made to fit with the sixth-generation version of the music player. However, there is also the possibility that Apple would design a module specifically for the iWatch.
However, what's unique with the possible iWatch is its operability even without a smartphone. The device is intended to have enough memory so that media files like video and music can be stored in it. This would mean convenience for users, since the files can be played on the smart watch itself.
According to the filing, the device can receive new alerts, social network updates and text messages. It is unclear whether users can respond to their messages on the smart watch. However, if a message is not important, it can be dismissed very quickly. The device is said to have sensors that responds to the movements of the user, making it easier to manage messages that come in. Notifications can be dismissed simply by shaking the wrist once or twice.
