An Apple Watch camera is one of the things that could make it more practical for the wearable device to eventually replace an iPhone.
But even if Apple included a camera in a future watch, there’s an obvious problem …
How do you give people the freedom to frame the photo as they wish, while still allowing them to see the image on the display of the Watch?
That’s a problem Apple tackles in a patent granted today.
Apple’s proposed solution is to integrate the camera into part of the band, rather than the Watch itself. You’d be able to pull out a section of the band, which would be flexible so you can angle it as desired. The lens itself would rotate on the end of the band for complete flexibility.
But what about FaceTime? It would be awkward to have to hold the Apple Watch camera in place. The patent has a solution to that too.
Just as iPhones have cameras on both sides, so too could a Watch band – and they could include the ability to shoot 360-degree video.
There could also be several different ways to actually take the photo.
Apple says the invention would free us from the need to carry an iPhone, at least some of the time.
In our poll, a third of you said there was a better-than-even chance that an Apple Watch could replace your iPhone within a few years.
We of course add our usual patent disclaimer: Apple patents all kinds of things that never make it into production. Is this one that should? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
