
12 February 2019
A new patent has been spotted which suggests that Apple has some interesting plans for future AirPods iterations. This particular patent was filed last year but has been awarded to the company recently. It shows that Apple is exploring ways to make AirPods as universal as possible so that they can fit all types of ears with ease.
To start off, the suggested AirPods design in the patent is based on the concept of symmetry. It is said to be in such a way that users will be able to wear them interchangeably. It means one will not need to go looking for 'Left' and 'Right' sides before putting them on. This will definitely improve the overall user experience as a user will simply need to take them out and put them on.
The patent further mentions that in such a situation, the AirPods can have at least one biometric sensor. This sensor will allow the buds to know in what ear (left or right) they are being worn. Once it figures that out, it will automatically adjust the volume level for an optimal audio output.
Here is the particular explanation in the patent application:
"This application relates to earbuds configured with one or more biometric sensors. At least one of the biometric sensors is configured to be pressed up against a portion of the tragus for making biometric measurements. In some embodiments, the housing of the earbud can be symmetric so that the earbud can be worn interchangeably in either a left or a right ear of a user. In such an embodiment, the earbud can include a sensor and circuitry configured to determine and alter the operation of the earbud in accordance to which ear the earbud is determined to be sitting in."
While this AirPods patent does sound interesting and worth looking forward too, it is hard to say when exactly Apple will release such a product for commercial use. Our best guess is that it should be at least a couple of years away from any kind of official announcement from Apple, let alone an official launch.
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comments
Everything looks in place until I read the last thing - the uncertainty of commercial use....