Apple Watch 5 2019: Smartwatch Security Could Rely On Your Biometrics

The next version of Apple’s popular smartwatch, the Apple Watch Series 5, is slated to become a powerful health tool, thanks to a number of innovative health functions like ECG and a possible sleep tracking service.

Due to this, we wouldn’t be surprised if the Cupertino giant takes it a step further and use people’s body signatures to add to its groundbreaking functions. And according to a report, a new Apple patent points to the tech company using a new light field camera for the Apple Watch 5.

What’s exciting about this is that the technology can actually see through the wrist of the bearer, which means that the watch can use the owner’s tendons, arteries and even blood perfusion pattern as a unique “ID” to keep the Apple Watch data and functions safe.

If this is true, then Apple is definitely offering a very futuristic feature through its smartwatch, one that its competitors are still far behind in terms of technology. If the biometrics security comes to fruition, then the watch can be considered theft-proof as only the rightful owner can make the watch function accordingly.

However, the new patent was filed at the U.S. Patent Office near the end of last year, so whether or not this function will be made available for the Apple Watch 5 is kind of murky. The question of whether or not the next smartwatch can sustain this kind of authentication method is another concern as there’s still no clear information on how reliable it can be.

Based on the patent’s description, the light technology will be able to recognize the owner’s hair follicle pattern, vascular pattern, vein pattern, artery pattern, blood perfusion pattern in both the skin and beneath the tendons, skin pigmentation pattern, pore pattern and even the bone-shape pattern of the wrist.

The data that will be gathered will be used as a reference to create a powerful bio-authentication system to protect the gadget from being used by the wrong hands, literally.

Aside from the watch itself, some reports also speculated that the function could be available via a biometric-sensitive strap. There are also those anticipating a new look for the Apple Watch Series 5, with some believing that a round-faced watch might be out in the market soon.