Apple has filed a new patent that suggests the next Apple Watch could include a second display built into a "timekeeping" smart band that shows the current time and temperature. Based on the design of the wrist wearable sent to the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the Apple Watch 2's strap will contain nylon-woven light-transmitting fibers that will allow the band to function as a second display screen and make it easier to spot new notifications or alerts.
Based on the patent application, the watch's wristband could be magnetically attached or tied to mobile devices, and change colors to show that it is secure around a wrist or smartphone, according to ZDNet.
Apple's patent was filed on May 30, 2014. The smart strap tech could be included in Apple Watch 2, although the patent's application shows that the material could also be integrated into iPhone and iPad cables, according to International Business Times.
Apple's official document explains that tethers such as smartphone cases can only help to prevent dropping or losing the device. However, Apple's smart band could provide information about the device and its functions.
The wristband would also include a connector that might be contained in a chip. It could supply light to the fabric and contain enough memory to store an operating system.
Besides providing data, the smart strap could also change colors by a connected device causing a LED to quickly alter the wavelengths. This would cause various areas on the band to change to different colors.
The research firm International Data Corporation (IDC) has reported that about 3.9 million Apple Watch units were shipped during the third quarter of 2015, which ended on September 30. Stark Insider noted that if Apple verifies the figures it would mean its smart watch makes up 18 percent of the worldwide wearables market.
Here are some recent Apple Watch 2 rumors: