Almost a year ago, the iPod touch was finally discontinued by Apple, burying the company’s iconic product line. A patent filed by Apple in 2022 and released today relating to the AirPods casehowever, somewhat resembles the functioning of the first iPods…
The patents describe a touchscreen interface on the case, through which the user could interact to perform tasks such as fast-forwarding and rewinding songs (as on the Apple Watch). According to the record, the idea is that the case no longer serves only to store the AirPods, but that it has its “improved utility”, in order to be able to control operations and see information related to the headphones, reducing the number of interactions necessary to such.
In addition to forwarding and rewinding songs, applications related to other resources are also shown, such as Siri and iPhone apps, as well as the ability to press the sides of the case to activate Active Noise Cancellation and Ambient mode. With this, according to the patent, “deficiencies related to the control of wireless headphones would be reduced or eliminated”.
An application that draws particular attention is that of controlling the volume of the headphones with circular gestures, reminiscent of the Click Wheel from iPod classic. It would be quite nostalgic, no doubt, when it comes to uniting something older with a product as current as AirPods.
One engineering issue that would need to be addressed for this patent to be put into practice is the battery. An interface like this would certainly greatly increase the energy expenditure of the AirPods case, in order to be a major obstacle to the materialization of features such as those registered.
In any case, it is worth remembering that the patent is not a direct indication that a new product will be launched with the contents of the intellectual property. Still, it’s interesting to think of an AirPods case that is more complex and has more functions — but without that, who knows, worsening the user experience.
What did you think?
AirPods Pro AirPods (3rd generation)
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via Patently Apple