Apple envisioned taking photographs from wrist: Here's how
Apple has a knack for exploring (and patenting) high-end technologies for its products, be it on an iPhone or MacBook. It is a common practice in the tech industry. And just recently, the folks at 9To5Mac unearthed a patent revealing a bizarre idea the Cupertino giant considered - taking photographs from the wrist. Here's all you need to know about it.
Apple Watch integrated with camera
Apple Watch comes with a number of sensors but no camera; hence there is no way to shoot from the device. But, that does not mean Apple didn't even consider adding a camera. The patent discovered by 9to5Mac shows that the company looked at the idea of adding a camera on the Watch band, instead of placing it directly on its square case.
How this band-based camera would work
Apple has envisioned placing a camera on the end of the band and using a hidden optical cable buried in the band as a way to transmit the photographed data back to the Watch. The company said in the patent that placing the camera on the band would allow the user to twist and turn it to capture the photograph easily.
You could pull up the band to take photographs
Having said that, with a system like this, a user would get the option to take a photograph by simply pulling up the strap of their watch. In fact, Apple has even envisioned the possibility of placing two cameras - facing in opposite optical directions - on the band. This would bring the flexibility of taking selfies, even 360-degree videos, into the package.
This could make Apple Watch complete
If Apple implements this idea, Apple Watch could practically serve as a smaller replacement for an iPhone; the device already has GPS and cellular connectivity. However, it's worth noting that as of now this is just a patent, one that Apple considered but may or may not be developing actively. It files dozens of patents every year but doesn't work on all of them.
