Samsung files patent for interchangeable smartwatch bands using Apple Watch sketches
As any iPhone fan will tell you, Samsung has been repeatedly blamed (and sued) for gathering inspiration from Apple's products. To some extent, such claims may be a bit overblown, seeing that all tech companies routinely look over the fence in an attempt to match and even surpass the features of competing products. A recent patent filing from Samsung, however, is taking matters one step too far.
In a patent filing that describes an interchangeable smartwatch band mechanism, Samsung is using a sketch of the Apple Watch. There can be no denying that this is an accurate representation of Apple's debut smartwatch: the shape, the digital crown, and even the charging connectors on the back are all of the right size and in the right place. Check out the pictures below and try not to see the Apple Watch being depicted in the sketches:
If you're wondering what was the purpose of this, you're not alone! It may be that Samsung did this on purpose, it may be that this slipped in between the cracks.
At the end of the day, however, this is just a patent filing we're talking about. None of Samsung's smartwatches look anything like the Apple Watch. In fact, the Samsung Gear S2 is, in fact, a unique product in the smartwatch market, coming with a rotating bezel that's both cool-looking and useful for navigational purposes. Furthermore, there are many other images included in the patent filing and all the other ones depict a generic smartwatch.
What do you guys think, could Samsung have intentionally used a sketch of the Apple Watch to file its patent for interchangeable smartwatch bands?
Things that are NOT allowed: