Apple patent reveals next-generation force sensors for Apple Watch, MacBook and iPhone

With the exception of the trackpad on the MacBook, Apple has all but discontinued Force Touch (also known as 3D Touch) technology in its products. However, it seems the company still has plans to bring Force Touch back in some way, as a new patent reveals a next-generation force sensor for Apple Watch, MacBook, and even iPhone.

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office published several Apple patents related to force sensors on Thursday. The patents cover how these sensors can be used in Apple devices for different purposes.

One of the patents reveals a force sensor designed for "small devices" like the Apple Watch or even AirPods. Conventional force sensors take up "considerable volume" inside the product, making them difficult to install in some devices. With this new technology, Apple will be able to create pressure-sensitive surfaces using microelectromechanical fluid pressure sensors.

The patent shows an Apple Watch with pressure-sensitive side buttons, suggesting the company may replace the physical buttons with new ones based on pressure sensors. Earlier this year, another patent showed a new Digital Crown that uses an optical sensor rather than a mechanical rotation, so Apple may be looking for new ways to make the Apple Watch more sturdy with fewer moving parts.

Interestingly, the second patent shows how the company could test pressure sensors to create a smart band for the Apple Watch capable of detecting blood pressure and even pulse wave velocity. The Apple Watch Series 8 is rumored to have new health features, so we may see more later this year.

3D Touch is back?

Other Apple patents show how microelectromechanical fluid pressure sensors could be used under MacBook trackpads and even iPhone displays to "accurately detect small or gradual changes in force." Of course, that description leads us to believe that the technology will enable a 3D Touch-like experience.

Patent data shows that the technology combines multiple small modules rather than using a single component, so perhaps this will allow Apple to make it cheaper and easier to include in multiple products (such as the iPad) The technology in brings back 3D Touch, which never existed due to its complexity).

It’s worth noting that there are no rumors of 3D Touch returning to the iPhone, so it could be a few years before these technologies see the light of day.

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