The possibility that the physical button of Apple Watch is changed to a touch type solid state button

Physical buttons are mounted on the side of Apple Watch, but the possibility that this will be reborn by the haptic engine 'Taptic Engine' has been reported.

The Apple Watch will get touch-sensitive, solid-state buttons
https://www.fastcompany.com/40583301/apple-watch-will-soon-get-touch-sensitive-solid-state-buttons

Apple is reportedly planning to update its Apple Watch with a solid-state button - The Verge
https://www.theverge.com/2018/6/9/17444438/apple-rumor-reportedly-planning-update-apple-watch-solid-state-button-taptic-engine

According to information Fast Company got from information sources familiar with Apple's plans, Apple is trying to redesign the side buttons of Apple Watch. Apple Watch has two physical buttons on the side of the body. One is a push-in type side button (left), and the other is a digital crown (right) that allows you to scroll the screen by rotating it.


Apple is trying to redesign the side button of the two physical buttons with a haptic engine called "Taptic Engine" which is adopted for iPhone's 3D Touch, Home button, Vibrate function of Apple Watch, and so on. In addition, it is only the side button trying to redesign using Taptic Engine, and the digital crown seems to be able to rotate the kurukuru physically as before. Fast Company calls this new side button "solid state button".


Solid state buttons that do not work physically have been adopted many times in Apple terminals other than Apple Watch. For example, instead of physically pushing in, Taptic Engine began to produce its own clicking sensation appearing in 2016iPhone 7Home button and 2015 appearedMacBookTrackpad, iPod control wheel etc are also Apple's solid state system.

Although it is suggested that the side button of the new Apple Watch that will be released in 2018 may become a solid state button, if it is not adopted, it will be adopted in the 2019 Apple Watch that a solid state button is adopted It is said to be.

Solid state buttons eliminate the openings required for physical buttons, so you can improve the water resistance of Apple Watch. In addition, the solid state button tells us that it will be possible to reduce the space on the design, so it will be possible to mount a larger battery on the same size casing, information sources said.


There is also information that Apple plans to install a sensor for collecting health related data such as heart rhythm, at the top of the button. A heartbeat sensor is placed on the back of the body of the Apple Watch, which allows you to measure your heart rate by touching the skin directly. However, depending on the type of data to be measured, it seems that the user's skin and multiple contact points are required, so it is planned to mount a sensor on top of the solid state button.