It is possible that Apple will just launch AirPods Max, but it seems that Apple is already working on the next addition of the headphone line with a new version of AirPods Pro which, for the first time, could have several dimensions.
Recent information comes from a relatively reliable leaker, Mr. White, who posted a few pictures on Twitter of AirPods Pro 2 components that have a more compact design in different sizes. Strangely, Mr. White seems to erroneously claim that the next AirPods Pro will still have “W2 chips” instead of the H1 wireless chips, which is actually used to power the current AirPods Pro. In a subsequent tweet, Mr. While also added that “AirPods are not suitable for black,” suggesting that the new models will only be available in white, just like previous models.
Regardless, the possible move to offer more sizes of AirPods Pro could be of great benefit to customers, as ensuring a good fit is essential to provide optimal audio quality and active noise cancellation performance. Currently, AirPods Pro comes with three pairs of ear tips of different sizes (small, medium and large) that can help adjust their fit to some extent, although for some people like Gizmodo Review Editor Alex “Tiny Ears” Cranz, having headphones available in two distinct sizes could be a much more significant option.
Aside from exploring the multi-dimensional AirPods Pro 2, Mr. White’s leak follows a story from Bloomberg which claims that Apple is also trying to make AirPods Pro 2 more compact than before, potentially reducing the size of the AirPods Pro rod (aka the bit that makes it look like a Q-Tip is hanging from your ear), although it’s unclear whether these models will reach the final retail models.
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Unfortunately, the expected release date for AirPods Pro 2 is somewhat nebulous, the only information so far being that it will be released sometime in 2021.
Elsewhere, in other Apple leaks, Apple patent recently discovered a new patent granted to Apple for a reconfigurable keyboard that uses small displays built into each key to dynamically change what you see based on what you do or the application you use. While this is just a patent and may never see the light of day, the Apple patent seems to be the next logical step for Apple after the introduction of the Mac Touch Bar on the MacBook Pro 2016.
Recently, Apple added features like a dynamic mouse cursor to the iPadOS, and by combining it with a new dynamic keyboard, Apple could prepare for major revisions to both its tablet and laptop lines. Moreover, when you look at the history of keyboards as a whole, the idea of a dynamic keyboard is something that many gadget designers have been dancing to for years, dating from things like Optimus Maximus keyboard from 2008 to more recent iterations such as Razer’s Deathstalker Ultimate and Elgato’s Stream Deck.
And while Apple’s patent specifically introduces a product made up of physical keys, when we look to the future, with a number of companies wanting to create dual screen laptops or laptops with foldable displays and no physical keyboard like that Lenovo’s ThinkPad X1 Fold, the idea of a dynamic touch screen keyboard becomes even more important, as they are quite a necessity for any system that wants to give up traditional key switches and key keys.