Apple was granted a patent today for an electronic wristband that can be coupled to an electronic wristwatch. The wristband, which can interact with the watch, can include digital sensors, wireless hardware, and other electronics, and could respond to gestures such as shaking and tapping. Within separate embodiments of the patent, the watch could be integrated into the wristband, or the two pieces could be removably secured together. The device shows “iTime” on the watch face in one illustration.
The device is shown as being able to interact with a mobile phone, portable computer, and desktop computer. This new patent, which was filed in 2011, is simpler than Apple’s other well-known “wearable accessory device” patent published last year. [via Apple Insider]