AirPods 3 Release Date: Apple Patents New Swiping Technology For Bluetooth Earbuds

A new patent reveals Apple’s plans to add new swiping technology to the AirPods as well as future devices such as smartglasses and, among others, fabric-based items.

According to a new patent application published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, Apple plans to add swipe controls to the AirPods in addition to tap controls. If the Cupertino tech giant succeeds in making this technology work, users will be able to do more things with future AirPods models, including adjusting volume levels with just a swipe of a finger.

The patent “Earbud Devices With Capacitive Sensors” describes an earbud with a housing that has an “ear portion” and an elongated “stalk portion.” The ear portion houses a speaker that will emit sounds that will be heard by users when the ear portion is placed inside the ear. The stalk portion, on the other hand, is a part that protrudes away from the ear portion.

Apple’s patent, first spotted by Patently Apple, describes the audio device as having multiple capacitive sensors embedded in the earbud’s ear and stalk portions. These capacitive sensors gather data that will be used in the operation of the earbud. Specifically, the sensors will collect data to determine whether the earbud is placed inside the ear or taken out, and determines its functions based on the data.

For example, the patent indicated that when the sensors detect that the earbud is taken out from the ear, the device might pause playback (like when both earbuds are removed) or adjust volume levels accordingly (such as when one earbud stays in one ear while the other is taken out). When the earbuds are placed back in the ears, the sensors will detect that and cause the earbuds to respond.

Patently Apple noted that based on the patent descriptions, Apple might introduce a swiping gesture for use on future AirPods models. Swiping gestures can be used for a variety of purposes. For example, by swiping a finger up and down the AirPods’s stalk portion, users will be able to increase or decrease volume levels.

The technology can also be applied to other products in the future. Apple’s patent states that the capacitive sensors can also be incorporated in electronic devices such as computers, smartphones, smartglasses and wristwatches; and in non-electronic items such as pillows and clothing.