14 DAY TRIAL // Apple is believed to be looking into new ways to enhance the functionality of its own devices, and one idea that the company is currently considering appears to be bringing force touch side buttons to iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch.
A patent discovered recently describes what are being called “various structures, methods, and features for new touch and force sensitive rocker switches and similar multiple type input buttons” that could be used on any Apple device, including here the Apple Watch and iPhone.
Basically, this new implementation would come down to a “specialized input button” that would be placed on the side of a device and offer enhanced functionality as compared to a typical button. This would be possible with features similar to force touch, which is already available on Apple devices and which trigger different options depending on how hard the button is pressed.
Replacing the Apple Watch Digital Crown?
On the Apple Watch, this technology could replace the Digital Crown completely, Apple says in the patent, though this is very unlikely given this is a signature feature of the device. On the other hand, what Apple can do is to introduce force touch for the Digital Crown, and provide different options depending on the pressure applied to the button.
Apple describes the new buttons as a “cosmetic surface,” and says that they can be in-line with the body of the device, which means seamless integration that would contribute to a more compact form factor, or slightly risen to make it easier for customers to use them without directly looking at the device.
Obviously, a patent is by no means living confirmation of a certain feature entering mass-production, but Apple itself explains that this approach can be used on all its devices. It could take a while until this technology sees daylight on an Apple device, and don’t expect it to be part of the 2018 generation of iPhones launching in the fall.