Apple is constantly pushing the envelope when it comes to innovating the latest technologies available to them. Now, the company seems to be looking to improve arguably one of their most controversial products, the Apple Airpods. Some brand new Apple patents have just recently been uncovered and one of them is apparently regarding a new design for the company's AirPods wireless earphones, or at least for its Case.
Improved wireless charging capabilities
The newly uncovered patent makes quite a bold claim as it provides a provision for a brand new AirPods case that will apparently be able to charge other devices.
The current case for the earphones are only able to charge the Airpods themselves, but based on the patent, future cases may be able to wirelessly charge other devices as well. The patent reveals that future AirPods cases may be able to wirelessly charge devices such as future iPhones, iPads, iPods, and even MacBook laptops.
The patent reveals that future AirPods cases may be able to wirelessly charge devices such as future iPhones, iPads, iPods, and even MacBook laptops. Charging is done through inductive pads found in the case, which can transmit power to a compatible device.
Next-gen Apple AirPods case could charge other devices, just how big is it going to be? https://t.co/7bJF69q8Qp pic.twitter.com/cPXjl7man3
— GSMArena.com (@gsmarena_com) April 8, 2017
A giant portable power bank
Based on the diagrams found in the patent, the new case looks to be significantly larger than the charging case that currently comes with Apple's AirPods.
The increased size may be due to a large battery embedded into the case for it to be able to charge other devices. Charging a MacBook laptop takes a lot of power, which means that the additional space for a big battery may be necessary.
Water and dust proof
Apart from being able to charge other devices, the newly designed AirPods case will apparently be able to withstand punishment from the elements.
The patent indicates that the case will be coming with a liquid-tight electrical connector that comes with an IP68 water and dust proof rating. This means that the case itself may be able to withstand being submerged underwater or falling into a pool. This also might indicate that future Airpods could be water and dust proof as well.
Patent to product timeframe
It has to be noted that patents do tend to be quite broad and far-fetched in their claims. However, they do indicate that the company does have the technology to pull it off, or at least an idea of how it could be implemented. There is also quite a bit of time that is required for a product to be created based on patents, as it still has to undergo numerous tests and redesigns.
