Apple has implement for a patent which suggests the company is plan a more interactive version of its popular AirPods case . This theoretically upgraded accouterment would incorporate a show for depict track information , incoming claim , and other utile selective information , and could also work as a touchscreen or gesture - base twist for access more complex bid than are possible via the headphone alone .
The patent , which has app number 17/948083 and was applied for last September , is head “ Devices , Methods , And Graphical User port For Interactions With A Headphone Case . ” It was spotted byPatently Appleand may proffer clues to the future development of one of Apple ’s most moneymaking Cartesian product lines .
( It ’s not instantly obvious that Apple is the applying company , but there are giveaways such as the inclusion body among the inventors of William Lindmeier , who works at Apple as an “ Interaction room decorator , ” and the multiple reference to “ iPhone ® , iPod Touch ® , and iPad ® devices . ” )
The gist is childlike . There is a need , the patent of invention ’s summary argues , “ for a headphone typeface that can … convey information to a user , through haptics and/or show equipment , ” and for one that “ can see to it operations that are traditionally link up with headphones , ” such as playback control , and the ability to deepen audio sources and turnout mode . Apple ’s envisioned root to this need is a case with such potential upgrades as a touchscreen display , “ tactile output generator ” ( ie haptics ) , and its own processor and memory .
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It sounds somewhat like toJBL ’S Tour Pro 2 earbuds , which will sell for $ 249 when they launch afterwards this bound . It also seems like the kind of functionality that could be passed off to an Apple Watch , given that most of the case actions would be fairly simple and flying .
It ’s disputable whether there really is such a need , turn over that AirPods users can already access simple controls ( namely interruption and period of play , skip caterpillar track , and volume controller ) via the headphones themselves , and that they can access everything else describe in the patent of invention ( track information , incoming calls and so on , plus more detailed control ) via the paired iPhone , simulate one is being used . Is it noticeably less of a hassle to take out an AirPods case than to take out an iPhone ? Perhaps , but not by much . If the AirPods are paired with a Mac or other audio generator it ’s possible the program would be appreciably beneficial , but their most coarse custom by far remains as a spouse to an iPhone .
And there are patently downsides to kitting out an AirPods case with a touchscreen display . It would be more expensive and heavy , it would drain its barrage fire quicker , and you ’d need to allow more space for the additional components which might in plough have in mind a lower - capacity bombardment . Plus it ’s an extra thing that can break – specially if you drop the causa , which at the mo is a reasonably durable physical object .
As ever with patent of invention bodily function , it ’s significant to think that such developments frequently go nowhere ( having grow out to be impractical , or only ever be as a means to fool rivals ) , or take a long time to get to realisation . The first AirPods model with a touchscreen suit might not hit the market for old age if it does at all . Keep up with the latest rumors by delay our regularly updatednew AirPods scout .
