Apple probably making more fabric-wearing devices

By Chris Burns/June 27, 2018 10:59 am EST

In a set of product drawings made by Apple we've seen what could very well be the future of the brand's smart devices collection – conceptually, anyway. The drawings come from a patent description packet by the name of "Structured Fabrics for Electronic Devices," and it was first filed in February of 2018 with the USPTO. In Apple patent filing terms, that's CRAZY recent – generally we see patent filing dates YEARS before the publication date – here that's just not so.

The description of the concept collection from Apple suggests "electronic equipment may include structured fabric." This isn't a completely new idea for Apple, as they've included some fabric elements on devices in the past. Thanks to the iFixit teardown of the Apple HomePod, we see they've included not one, but two layers of fabric on their smart speaker.

Apple's description of electronic device with integrated fabric includes control circuitry, input-output devices, and a display, around which is fabric with stiffener(s). This point is important, since it shows Apple isn't interested in creating clothing – not the sort that flaps in the breeze, anyway. These fabrics are flat, relatively rigid, and are made to compliment electronic devices.

Apple describes lamination equipment and hot pressing equipment for electronic device/fabric integration. This isn't the sort of fabric that's ever going to exist on its own. It always has adhesive in the mix, and always has a stiffener agent.

SEE TOO: Apple's laser-marked fabric

Perhaps the most interesting bit of the description of possible uses for Apple's integration of fabric and electronics is the bit where they mention the human body. "In some situations, the fabric may be used to hold an electronic device against a user's wrist, arm, or other part of the body." That sounds like a wrist strap for an Apple Watch to me. That, or it describes the potential for more wearable devices the likes of which we've not yet seen from Apple. Cross your fingers for the latter.