An Apple patent describes an improved AirPods case with an integrated touch screen. Hence imagine a completely standalone music player…
If you ask some geeks, they might tell you that we are moving towards a future where all objects have an integrated screen. Proof by example: Apple recently received a patent for an AirPods charging case with a small touch screen.
Apple patent describes highly advanced AirPods case with built-in touchscreen
The patent in question, filed in September 2022 and most recently discovered by Patently Apple, describes an AirPods charging case much more advanced than what we know, with a screen that allows the user to control music playback and display a range of other information, such as the weather or a map.
In the example provided by the Cupertino company, we can see a movie playing on the screen with the audio output streaming directly to the headphones. Other advanced examples include playing a radio or audiobook with the source coming from an external device, most likely an iPhone, and a case that offers basic controls such as a slider to move forward or backward in a song.
The patent also describes tactile touch controls built into the case that allow the user to press a specific location on the case to change sound modes.
Hence imagine a completely standalone music player…
While this wouldn’t make the AirPods a completely standalone music player, such an addition would make the case an accessory to use beyond simply charging an iPod-like device. The brand retired the iPod nano in 2017 and the last of its music players, the iPod touch, in 2022. Who knows, maybe it’s a sign.
However, we will end by reminding you that this is just a patent. We may have to wait a few more years before we can possibly enjoy it.