AirPods Case With Touchscreen Knock-Off Copies Apple Patent

[maxfromdenmark]

JBL makes earbuds with screen so it’s nothing innovative. I love the idea though just not what I see on the screen. It could be very useful during running when an iPhone is redundant. The case need just some memory for media storage.

 

[MacLawyer]

Wouldn't fiddling with the charging case sort of defeat the purpose of the AirPods, which are designed for runners, commuters, etc.

 

[Edgecrusherr]

The idea of an iPod nano / AirPods Pro hybrid could be really awesome. I'm sure it wouldn't have any real internal storage, be geared for streaming, and would only work with Apple Music. I prefer to use YouTube Music, so I would be hesitant to buy one (just like the HomePod. If it better supported 3rd party music stores, I'd have one).

 

[boswald]

I think they would be great for runners or people who don’t want to carry a big titanium slab with them anymore. With the Apple Watch having cellular service, we’re one step closer to leaving our phones at home.

 

[Godspeed8230]

I think they would be great for runners or people who don’t want to carry a big titanium slab with them anymore. With the Apple Watch having cellular service, we’re one step closer to leaving our phones at home.

As a runner I use my Apple Watch - not only for audio but also for tracking my runs 😉

 

[scrapesleon]

Apple should make one but with solid state buttons instead

 

[Kimchi_Cowboy]

I've seen a fake pair of AirPods Pro from a coworker. Everything felt and looked identical to Apple's version, including the packaging. It even had the typical pairing splash screen setup when setting them up. The only thing that I noticed was it came with a USB-A to USB-C charging cable, which I know Apple doesn't include in their packaging.
It wasn't until I actually used the AirPods where I realized the quality took a sharp dive. Audio was terrible. Changing volume didn't work. It didn't show up in FindMy. Etc...
Obviously the intent is to trick you into buying them based on sight alone, but they have no intention to come close to matching the quality of the actual product itself.

I bought a 30 dollar pair of AirPod knockoffs in Kyrgyzstan. They are literally identical to the real thing. In fact my wife, has gone through 2 pairs of AirPods, and my knockoffs are still going strong.

 

[Octavius8]

Apple is kind of a patent troll sometimes…
They had the patent and the means and discarded the idea. Even the patent was so generic “screen to enhance usability”. That’s a patent????. Now someone actually was inspired and implemented a screen and everybody says they are coping Apple?. Apple copied the Walkman, apple copied wireless earphones, virtual reality glasses, etc. and “enhanced” them. Next we will say that foldable phones should pay royalties to Apple because Apple patented the grntal
Idea?. No, sir. Apple did not released nor actually has in roadmap that feature. Inspired others?, yes.

 

[mevans7]

Just as long as there aren’t any buttons on it.

 

[laptech]

My look like an Airpod, may feel like an Airpod but sound like an Airpod? not a chance.

As one member put it, a similar pair of Airpod knockoffs looked and felt like an Airpod until it was tried and then it was found not to be an Airpod because the sound quality was terrible. I have no doubt this touchscreen version will be the same.

 

[citysnaps]

I can see a lot of uses for that.

 

[citysnaps]

Wouldn't fiddling with the charging case sort of defeat the purpose of the AirPods, which are designed for runners, commuters, etc.

No. The two methods can co-exist just fine. Plus the case has the benefit of *displaying* additional information.

 

[ApplesAreSweet&Sour]

JBL makes earbuds with screen so it’s nothing innovative. I love the idea though just not what I see on the screen. It could be very useful during running when an iPhone is redundant. The case need just some memory for media storage.

Exactly.

Most AirPods buyers got AirPods to use with an iPhone, and also a lot got an iPhone so they can use AirPods.

Letting you stream, download and listen to music with AirPods independent of any other Apple devices seems like the complete opposite of something Apple would do.

If a display ever lands on an AirPods case then it's just going to be another "remote controller" input device for your iPhone, iPad or Mac, like you can do with Apple Watch.

This will remain a prototype.

 

[Vanarak19]

no desire for this. I have a watch, iPhone, headphone controls, and Siri on headphones to do things. I'd rather the case be used for storage and charging, Keep it simple.

 

[JordanCautious]

I'm ngl. I thought it would be awful, but it actually doesn't look that bad. I would buy it if Apple made it

 

[chabig]

It's clear where the concept has been ripped off from. An Apple 2021 patent reads:

That is not a patent. It's only an application for a patent. Big difference.

 

[Dust-by-Monday]

Imagine if there was flash storage on it as well so you can load songs right onto your AirPods and go completely phone free.

 

[nnoble]

Anyone have details of price and availability in UK?

 

[rp100]

Very cool! I doubt I’d use it, but wouldn’t mind my kids having this for music and audiobooks. Minimal functionality reduces time spent goofing around on the internet and apps.

 

[boswald]

As a runner I use my Apple Watch - not only for audio but also for tracking my runs 😉

Well, yeah, of course you do. But for those of us who aren’t runners (yet), untethering from our iPhones, one device at a time, is a good feeling. I know I’m sick of lugging it around sometimes.

 

[farmboy]

Apple is kind of a patent troll sometimes…
They had the patent and the means and discarded the idea. Even the patent was so generic “screen to enhance usability”. That’s a patent????. Now someone actually was inspired and implemented a screen and everybody says they are coping Apple?. Apple copied the Walkman, apple copied wireless earphones, virtual reality glasses, etc. and “enhanced” them. Next we will say that foldable phones should pay royalties to Apple because Apple patented the grntal
Idea?. No, sir. Apple did not released nor actually has in roadmap that feature. Inspired others?, yes.

You just basically don't understand what a patent is, and what is--and is not--patentable. I'm not going to do it anymore, you can easily look all that up. I will say that Apple did not copy the Walkman.

 

[darngooddesign]

Random companies from China are really doing more to bring ideas to life in the wireless headphone space than Apple is... what a time to be alive. 🤪

Now imagine if they brought their own ideas to life.

 

[darngooddesign]

JBL makes earbuds with screen so it’s nothing innovative. I love the idea though just not what I see on the screen. It could be very useful during running when an iPhone is redundant. The case need just some memory for media storage.

I use my Apple Watch for that.

 

[darngooddesign]

Well, yeah, of course you do. But for those of us who aren’t runners (yet), untethering from our iPhones, one device at a time, is a good feeling. I know I’m sick of lugging it around sometimes.

We’ve come full circle back to iPods.

 

[jicon]

My past experience with Airpods cases has me want nothing to do with this design. After moving in to my house five years ago, the back yard was a mess, weeding. Got a weed blade to clamp on to a prior Airpods case (only) I'm presuming was once owned by the previous house tenants. Still charges, but because of that weed blade has a nice hunk of plastic ripped out. Two years ago, my AirPods Pro fell out of shorts pocket unaware on to carpet, where the new puppy found it, and had at it for a few minutes. Teeth marks, some several mm deep, cracks, and now a very visible spot where the case tries to close, about a mm wide in spots.

Both had me inquiring what a new case would cost. I don't even think that's an option through Apple today. Still.