Will the 3D touch return? Apple’s patent introduces new pressure sensors for iPhone, Apple Watch and MacBook

With the exception of the MacBook Pad, Apple has removed Force Touch (or 3D Touch) technology from its products. However, apparently the company still has plans to restore Force Touch. New patent applications show next-generation pressure-sensitive sensors for Apple Watch, MacBook and even iPhone.

Apple is working on new pressure sensors

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office released several Apple patents for pressure sensors on Thursday (via Patently Apple). These patents cover how these sensors can be used for various purposes on Apple devices.

One of these documents shows that pressure sensors are being developed for “small form factor devices” such as the Apple Watch and even AirPads. Conventional pressure sensors occupy a “significant volume” inside the product and can hardly be incorporated into certain devices. With the new technology, Apple can create a pressure-sensitive surface using microelectromechanical liquid pressure sensors.

The patent shows an Apple Watch with a pressure-sensitive side button, which shows that the company can replace the physical buttons with new buttons based on the pressure sensor. Recently, another patent showed a new Digital Crown that uses optical sensors instead of mechanical rotation. So Apple may be looking for new ways to make the Apple Watch more powerful with fewer moving parts.

Interestingly, the second patent shows how the company tested pressure sensors to create smart bracelets for the Apple Watch that can measure blood pressure and even pulse wave velocity. The Apple Watch 8 Series is rumored to have new health features, so we may see more of them later this year.

Will the 3D touch return?

Other Apple patents show how liquid electromechanical pressure sensors can be used in MacBook crackers and even under the iPhone screen to “accurately detect small or gradual changes in force.” The description shows that this technology enables an experience similar to 3D touch.

Patent data show that this technology combines several small modules and does not use just one component. Perhaps this will allow Apple to reintroduce 3D touch with technology that is less expensive and easier to integrate into multiple products.

It’s worth noting that there have been no rumors of a 3D touch returning to the iPhone so far, so it may take a few more years for these technologies to come to light.

Source : macerkopf

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