Patent Filing Shows Completely Re-Designed Next-Gen AirPods

A new Apple patent filing published today by the US Patent & Trademark Office (USPTO) has revealed completely re-designed next generation AirPods, as well as the wired EarPods, that feature a new wraparound mechanism with ear magnets to keep the pods from falling out of a user’s ears. According to PatentlyApple, Apple’s invention details “earphone assemblies with magnets for anchoring to a user”.

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The filing details an earphone assembly that may include a hook member including a functional component called the body. An audio output component is positioned within the body, with a first magnet physically coupled to the body, while a second magnet is positioned against the user’s ear in a functional position that directs sound from the audio output component into the user’s ear. 

The two magnets are positioned on opposite sides of a wall of the ear and are magnetically attracted to one another via the wall for holding the body in the functional position.

In another example, an earphone assembly for use by a user’s ear may be provided that may include a body, an audio output component including a first magnet positioned at least partially within the body and a second magnet, wherein, when the body is positioned against the user’s ear in a functional position that is operative to direct sound from the audio output component into the user’s ear, the first magnet and the second magnet are operative to be positioned on opposite sides of a wall of the ear and are operative to be magnetically attracted to one another via the wall for holding the body in the functional position.

The patent application was filed by Apple back in Q2 2016.

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