Future Apple Watch bands may incorporate touch sensors as evidenced by a newly granted Apple patent (number 11,003,289) for a “flexible touch sensor panel.”
The idea is to incorporate such panels into an Apple Watch strap. This would provide an additional touch sensitive surface for a user to activate functions on the wearable device without covering a touch screen of the wearable device.
For example, a band could conceivably have built-in user ID, so you won’t have to enter a passcode to unlock the smart watch. The band could visually display indications or messages to an Apple Watch wearer. Such info could include battery life data, a text message alert, temperature, additional health monitoring features, and more.
