A recent patent application for the AirPods Max 2 might show a significant update for the device.
The AirPods Max are a terrific, though costly, pair of headphones, so it’s understandable that Apple would be working on an improved version. New patent applications, on the other hand, suggest that Apple may forego the use of digital crown controls in favour of touchpad motions in the AirPods Max 2.
An approach to processing motions on a touch-sensitive surface is described in the patent application (which was discovered by Patently Apple). As a result, rather of a mechanical control mechanism, the AirPods Max 2 might have a function that is currently present in a plethora of other headphones and earbuds.
The newest edition of the AirPods Max is equipped with a digital crown that is identical to the one featured on Apple Watch. This dial may be used to modify the volume, control playback, summon Siri, as well as to answer and finish phone calls, among other things.
Apart from the fact that this potential pair of headphones would contain at least one touch-sensitive surface capable of detecting motions, the patent application doesn’t provide us with much information. However, given that this is not an uncommon feature, particularly among high-end headphones, it is not unreasonable to think that the digital crown will be totally supplanted by gesture control in the future.
According to an interview with Casa BRUTUS, Apple had explored integrating a touchpad on the original AirPods Max, but ultimately decided against it. Apple, on the other hand, chose to stick with the digital crown despite testing the technology. As far as we can tell, the simplicity of this design was selected in part to provide a tactile feeling while using the headphones.
The patent application is largely concerned with touch controls, and it does not cover anything other than the mechanics of the touchpad itself. As a result, we have no way of knowing what more Apple has in store for us when the AirPods Max 2 launch – whenever that may be — occurs.
It goes without saying that this is all supposing that the patent would be applied in a future pair of AirPods Max headphones. Although a firm may own a patent, it does not necessarily suggest that the company intends to use the technology, and there is no certainty that we will see a pair of touch-capable AirPods Max in the near future.
Nonetheless, the filing of a patent application indicates that there is a potential. At the absolute least, we expect that Apple will include support for high-quality audio, a functional power button, and a charging cover that provides some kind of protection from the elements. The ability to provide a reduced pricing would also be beneficial, but it may be too much to expect of a corporation like Apple.
Despite the fact that we don’t know much about the expected AirPods Max 2, we do know a little bit more about Apple’s rumoured next high-end earphones, the AirPods Pro 2. Check out our AirPods Pro 2 hub for all of the newest information on that front.
Apple might offer AirPods Max 2 with touch controls instead of a Digital Crown
Apple may decide to include support for touch controls in the second-generation Airpods Max, according to reports. Rumours are circulating that the business may decide to do away with the digital crown that was included on the original AirPods Max, which was debuted back in 2020. Because of the discovery of a new patent for the same, it has been speculated that Apple is now working on a successor to its premium over-ear headphones.
According to a recent rumour from Patently Apple, the company has received a new patent application from the United States Patent and Trademark Office, which suggests that the AirPods Max 2 will be released soon. According to the patent, a system for processing motions on a touch-sensitive surface, which might be used in second-generation headphones, is shown.
Currently, the AirPods Max are equipped with a digital crown that allows you to change the volume and navigate between audio tracks. The Digital Crown is a one-of-a-kind feature that can’t be found on any other smartphone or tablet. It is an Apple-only feature, which the corporation may eliminate in order to provide consumers with a more intuitive method to control their digital assistant, music, volume, and other settings.
However, it is important to note that this is not the first time Apple has submitted a patent for touch-based navigational functions in an electronic device. A patent for smart textiles with touch controls for over-the-ear headphones was awarded to the Cupertino company in 2019, it was previously reported. Despite the discovery of two other patents later on, it seems that the brand has opted to stick with Digital Crown.
Apple’s design team disclosed in an interview with Japanese design website Casa BRUTUS at the end of 2020 that the firm had planned to include touch controls for the AirPods Max, but that this did not materialise as the business finally opted to go with the Digital Crown design.
Apple has, however, applied for a similar sort of patent for the AirPods Max 2, so there is a potential that the company may include touch controls with the AirPods Max 2. It is crucial to remember that not all patents are implemented in reality, thus users are recommended to approach this information with caution.
Furthermore, it is expected that Apple will release the AirPods Pro 2 in the third quarter of this year. It’s possible that Apple may introduce it in September, along with the iPhone 14. If leaks and rumours are to be believed, Apple’s wireless earbuds will undergo a significant overhaul in the near future. It might be equipped with an ambient light sensor for the purpose of measuring blood oxygen levels. IPX4 dust and water resistance may be included in the audio product’s design.