Patent Filing Points To Existence Of Apple Smart Watch

A patent filing from Apple detailing a “wearable accessory device” has provided the most convincing evidence yet the company is working on a “smart watch”, possibly called an iWatch.

The filing with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) was first filed in August 2011, but was only revealed on Thursday.

It describes a “slap bracelet” device with a flexible touchscreen display that would be able to communicate with other electronic devices, such as a smartphone, featuring a touch-sensitive user interface and flexible circuit board.

Apple smart watch

“The wearable accessory device includes a flexible display coupled to a bi-stable spring,” read the filing. “Coupling the display to the bi-stable spring allows the accessory device to be easily worn in a number of convenient locations.”

Speculation that Apple is working on a smart watch has intensified in recent months, with a report last week suggesting it was even testing one that featured curved Willow Glass. Any iWatch could include mapping software, voice recognition software Siri and could even be used for mobile payments. It also might even be able to tell the time.

Apple is believed to be working on a new version of its mobile operating system, iOS 7, that could be compatible with the device.

A number of other companies are working on similar products, including Apple’s arch-rival Samsung. Screenshots purporting to be from such a device have been leaked onto the Internet, showing applications for music, email and maps.

However Apple is apparently confident that its understanding of how glass can curve around the human body would differentiate it from similar devices.

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