A new magnetically-closed Milanese Loop band was spotted in a patent filed by Apple. The company appears to be working on a new swappable band for the upcoming Apple Watch 2 that can also double up as a protective encasement and stand. The first version of the Apple Watch was launched with six different swappable band styles, and it seems the company is already working on its successor. A patent that was recently granted to Apple reveals that the new Milanese Loop band has a convertible design which shall allow it to serve more than one purpose.
The patent filed by Apple also reveals that the band can be rolled into a protective case while traveling, or even as a stand allowing users to keep it on the bedside table or desk or any flat surface. The document reveals that the proposed band will have two separate straps made of a malleable material. The illustrated images in the patent document reveal that the new Milanese Loop could be attached to other devices such as the MacBook or an iMac or even a refrigerator. A MacBook has an aluminium body and therefore the way it would attach to the MacBook is not clear yet.
Apple has described the band using the following words in the patent. Since the wrist straps include a number of magnets arranged with magnetic polarity patterns that are complementary to one another, the wrist straps become magnetically coupled around a user’s wrist once they come in close proximity to one another. The second wrapping configuration is achieved by rotating a first strap of the wristband around a lower surface of the device and rotating a second strap of the wristband around an upper surface of the device.
This does sound like a revolutionary idea. We can talk about its usability once the prototype version of Apple watch 2 is showcased or when the actual product comes into the market.
