Apple Watch Fingerprint Sensor Could be on the Way

An Apple Watch fingerprint sensor may be in the works as the Cupertino corporation has been granted a patent that proposes the creation of a smartwatch-like gadget containing a biometric sensor

Since the Apple Watch’s release in 2015, Apple has added a number of fitness-tracking capabilities to entice iPhone customers to purchase the free gadget.

However, Apple Watches have not yet included biometric sensors in their products. Apple will leave in the option to use a passcode instead of a fingerprint authentication if they would rather not use their fingerprints, though it is a quicker, more convenient, and more secure option.

According to a report by Patently Apple, the company has acquired a patent from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) that describes an Apple Watch fingerprint sensor, as first reported by Patently Apple.

In the future, the Apple Watch might feature a physical button with a fingerprint scanner underneath the Digital Crown, according to the patent application.

“The biometric button assembly may include an input member that forms an exterior surface of the button housing and is configured to receive inputs, for example from a user of the electronic device,” according to the patent filing.

Apple may use a seal to prevent dust, water, and other externalities from entering the button housing. This is ideal for those who like to live outdoors for an extended time or those who exercise and sweat a lot.

The documentation for the patent also contains some images to give further references on the present state of development.

Apple’s patent application was submitted to the USPTO in November 2020, but the US government only recently gave its approval on July 5 of this year. It’s important to keep in mind that Apple, along with other tech companies, submits patent applications for a range of technologies that they internally evaluate.

However, the filing of a patent application does not necessarily imply that the technology will eventually be sold. On occasion, producers will only file patent applications for distinct prototypes that are different from the goods that will actually be sold. Therefore, it is reasonable to view the patented details with skepticism. But users looking for wearables with a better level of privacy could only be interested in the Apple Watch with biometric authentication.

Users would be able to use the Apple Watch to make payments that required biometric authentication, something that buyers would require the utmost security measures to feel comfortable using. In comparison to passcodes, it could make the device easier to secure, as it is easier to guess password than to somehow fake a fingerprint.

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