Apple patent suggests AirPods Max 2 headphones will use touch controls

Date:
Mon, 07 Feb 2022 15:33:02 +0000

Description:
Apple could be removing the Digital Crown from its AirPods Max 2 headphones according to a patent suggesting they will instead use touch controls.

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According to a recently discovered patent, the Apple AirPods Max 2 headphones could come with touch controls.

When the original Airpods Max was released many - us included - were
surprised to see that Apple decided to eschew touch controls in favor of a more retro-style control dial inspired by the Apple Watch s Digital Crown.

Now, according to information uncovered by Patently Apple (via What HiFi ),
it appears even more likely that Apple will abandon the dial in favor of
touch controls for its next pair of over-ear headphones . The latest patent shows how a touch-sensitive surface could be used to control a headset-shaped device - that looks incredibly similar to the AirPods Max. Goodbye, Digital Crown? The Digital Crown on the AirPods Max. (Image credit: Apple)

Apple already has two other touch control patents. One relates to touch controls for volume and another is about a smart fabric for over-ear headphones that can detect touch-based gestures.

While patents are by no means a confirmation that a certain feature or device will launch wed be surprised if Apple spent all this time developing touch controls for wireless headphones to then never use them in one of its
gadgets.

Combined with the fact that touch controls are becoming an increasingly
common feature on both over-ear headphones and wireless earbuds - the AirPods 3 , and AirPods Pro both use touch controls for example - were pretty confident the next Apple headphones will use them.

While the physical dial brought with it a sense of audiophile credibility by invoking more old-school design aesthetics were intrigued to see how Apple will modernize its next over-ear headphones.

For now, though, well have to wait and see what Apple announces as it has yet to even publicly declare it is working on a follow-up to the AirPods Max. Hopefully, well find out soon as the patents and rumors have us excited to
see what it has in store for us next. Check out: the best AirPods deals available today



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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/news/apple-patent-suggests-airpods-max-2-headphones- will-use-touch-controls/


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