Apple Watch With Solid-State Side Buttons and Haptic Feedback Would Come As Early As This Year

Fast Company has reported that future versions of the Apple Watch will be adopting the solid-state side buttons layout, which is similar to ...

Fast Company has reported that future versions of the Apple Watch will be adopting the solid-state side buttons layout, which is similar to the design that used on the iPhone 7 Home button. With Apple Watch's solid-state side buttons, combined with the Taptic Engine, it would provide precise haptic feedback when pressed.

Apple will stick with the Watch's current button configuration, with a button and a digital crown situated on one side of the device, but neither will physically click as before. Rather than reacting to the user's touch by physically moving back and forth, the new buttons will vibrate slightly under the fingertip, using the haptic effect Apple calls the Taptic Engine. (The digital crown will still physically rotate to navigate through content.)

The solid-state design could also enhance the waterproof performance of the Apple Watch and take up less space, whereas Apple could use it to improve the Watch's battery capacity or add other components. Besides, the company would also use these buttons as sensors to collect health-related information.

Fast Company believes that Apple Watch with solid-state side button support will be released as soon as this year, or it will be launched in 2019 at the latest. Following 2019, Apple may launch an Apple Watch without any buttons, and rather supports touch and swipe gestures.

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Image Via Softpedia News