Apple Has Figured Out How To Fit A Camera In Watch Crown

A newly-granted patent for the Apple Watch has surfaced showcasing a potential camera hidden in the crown of the timepiece.

Although a camera attached directly to the watch is nothing new, fitting into the crown is a more recent conceptualization, allowing people to capture pictures of their surroundings.  However, customers can rest assured that Apple is keeping privacy a key point when designing the new camera-watch hybrid.  

The patent also highlights another key feature which is the possibility of the camera having a flash within it to provide better lighting. The camera could also be used as a viewfinder to better angle your photos with a toggle-on screen as the shutter.

The crown is envisioned to become digital with a touch-sensitive top to accommodate the imaging functions. However, it is unlikely that the camera would be able to support FaceTime. 

For those that wear the crown facing inwards, the patent shows a handy solution with an easy release button that allows the user to remove the watch from the band for easier access to the camera.  

This is not the first time Apple has released a potential design for integrating a camera into the watch, according to 9to5Mac. The main reason it has taken the company some time to bring these ideas to fruition is because of how difficult it is to place a camera on a wrist without there being safety issues.

Apple has released numerous patents that never come to see the light of day, so it is truly up in the air if a camera in the crown will be the next big thing.  

[via PetaPixel and 9to5Mac, Photo 210329829 © Bertino8425 | Dreamstime.com]