Apple is putting the 'Air' in 'AirPods'. Its next AirPods might not be a pair of wireless earbuds at all, but rather a device you wear around your neck that fires audio through the air to your ears.
That's according to a new patent that was spotted by Patently Apple. The patent shows a small device that can be attached to the wearer's collar. This device features an audio module that directs audio waves to the user's ears.
To stop everyone nearby hearing what you're listening to, the audio waves would be focused by a "parametric array of speakers that limit audibility to others". Which sounds a bit more advanced than just playing music out loud from your phone's speaker.
This might sound like the aural equivalent of pie in the sky, but it's not as far-fetched as it seems. The Noveto N1 – shown off in January this year – uses similar tech, but instead of a wearable device you clip to your clothes, it takes the form of a mini soundbar that sits on your desk.
So why would you want this when current headphones do the job perfectly well? It's all about making you more aware of your surroundings and not isolating you in a sonic bubble. The patent points out that "many audio headsets are somewhat obtrusive to wear and can inhibit the user's ability to hear ambient sounds or simultaneously interact with others near the user". Some people might not like anything going in their ears, too.
It's a similar approach to that taken by the Sony LinkBuds, which don't actually go into your ear canals. We found they create an open soundstage that invites in ambient noise, though in doing so they do sacrifice some detail.
Apple's patent looks like a cross between the LinkBuds and Noveto N1, taking the tech to the next level. Will we ever see it made real? Watch this space...
MORE:
Sony LinkBuds vs WF-1000XM4: which Sony wireless earbuds are better?
Dodge the duds: How to spot and avoid buying fake AirPods and headphones
Read our latest headphone reviews
Want a better night's sleep? See our pick of the best headphones for sleeping 2022: wired wireless and noise-cancelling
