Patent shows Apple is working on how to make smart clothing, bags and furniture

Apple is continuing to research how to make fabrics touch-sensitive to embed controls or detect gestures on products other than Apple Watch straps or iPhone cases. Previously, Apple had worked on a fabric control device, focusing on how to embed control devices in any fabric.

access:

Apple Online Store (China)

Now, a newly disclosed patent application shows the company is pursuing the concept further. "Fabric Sensing Devices" is about how to use controls embedded in fabrics, and why this is so desirable.

Apple said: "Traditional electronic devices may include a variety of input devices, including buttons, keys, mice, trackballs, joysticks, etc. Some traditional electronic devices may include a touch panel or touch screen configured to receive touch input from a user. However, many traditional input devices and touch sensors are formed using hard materials and/or hard substrate sheets and, therefore, may be limited to certain form factors."

Apple is focusing on using "touch-sensitive textiles" to add control capabilities to "a variety of consumer products." However, in the illustrations of the patent application, the only use case is for users to touch what appears to be an Apple Watch band.

Well, that might be where Apple gets interested in the idea. But perhaps like all patent applications that try to cover every conceivable use of their proposals, Apple's list of devices that could use fabric controls doesn't just include the Apple Watch.

"In particular, the devices and techniques described herein may be applied to a variety of textile materials that may be integrated into consumer electronics, apparel, clothing accessories, handbags, upholstery items, home textiles, and other items that may contain textile components or elements," Apple said.

So it's a safe bet that if this material becomes a transportable product, it will appear on a new range of Apple Watch straps. However, perhaps the MacBook Pro's sleeve could display the laptop's current battery level and provide a shutdown button.