Apple is pushing forward with its development of touch fabric technologies, as evidenced by a new patent called the “Sensory Fabric device”. The patent explains how Apple plans to incorporate control elements directly into fabric, making it an attractive innovation. Traditional electronic devices often rely on various input devices like buttons, keys, and touch panels, which are typically made using hard materials. However, this limits their form factors. Apple’s new technology aims to address this limitation.
The patent illustrations showcase an example of the user interacting with an Apple Watch strap, suggesting that Apple is particularly interested in applying this technology to its smartwatch. However, the patent’s scope expands beyond the Apple Watch and includes a wide range of devices that could potentially utilize textile management elements.
According to Apple, the described devices and techniques can be implemented in various textile materials found in consumer electronics, clothing, accessories, bags, upholstery materials, home textiles, and other products that incorporate a textile component or element. This indicates that the technology could have widespread applications across different industries.
If Apple incorporates this technology into its products, it is likely to be featured in the company’s new line of Apple Watch straps. However, other potential applications could include a MacBook Pro case that displays the laptop’s battery level and features a power-off button, a control panel integrated into the seat cover of an Apple Car, or an armrest of a sofa for managing an Apple TV.