Engineer Brings Wires and USB
When it comes to wearable tech, few products have been as eagerly anticipated as the release of Apple’s AirPods. Despite their sleek design and impressive functionality, the wireless earbuds have been met with mixed reviews; some praising their seamless integration with other Apple products, while others decry their high price tag.
Now, it seems, there may be another AirPod on the horizon – one that comes with a very different feature set.
As first reported by MacRumors, a new patent application from Apple indicates that the company is exploring the possibility of introducing a wired version of their popular earbuds.
Interestingly, the patent application – which was filed back in September of 2020 – makes mention of several different connector types, including the use of a USB-C connector.
This is significant because, up until now, the only way to connect AirPods to a Mac or PC has been via Bluetooth. If Apple were to include a wired option, it would open up a whole new world of possibilities for AirPods users.
In addition to the obvious benefit of not having to worry about recharging the earbuds, a wired connection would also allow for a much more stable connection – something that is important for activities like gaming or watching video.
Of course, it’s worth noting that Apple has yet to comment on the patent application, and there’s no guarantee that a wired version of the AirPods will ever see the light of day. Nevertheless, it’s an intriguing possibility, and one that has certainly piqued the interest of the tech community.
