New Patent Describes Waterproof AirPods Case That Could Double as iPhone or Apple Watch Charger

[MacRumors]

A new patent filed by Apple last year, and published recently by the United States Patent and Trademark Office, details a future iteration of the AirPods charging case that could simultaneously recharge the wireless headphones as well as an iPhone or Apple Watch. In the patent, Apple has visualized an AirPods case that, when placed flat on a surface, could turn into an Apple Watch charging pad thanks to a "wireless power transmitting component" (via Patently Apple).

This would allow the AirPods case to double as a portable charging battery, providing power to both the AirPods internally and a separate device externally. The patent depicts multiple ways for the case to detect if an external device is ready to receive transmitted power, including an optical sensor, a mass sensor, or a mechanical interlock or button. When any of these methods are activated, the case would begin charging the external device, which also could include MacBooks.

Image via Patently Apple​

"Such devices can include, for example, portable music players (e.g., MP3 devices and Apple's iPod devices), portable video players (e.g., portable DVD players), cellular telephones (e.g., smart telephones such as Apple's iPhone devices), video cameras, digital still cameras, projection systems (e.g., holographic projection systems), gaming systems, PDAs, as well as tablet (e.g., Apple's iPad devices), laptop (e.g. MacBooks) or other mobile computers. Some of these devices can be configured to provide audio, video or other data or sensory output."

Additionally, a future version of the AirPods case could have an entirely waterproof design, providing even further protection to the AirPods when they're placed within the charging case for long periods of time. Apple's patent depicts ways that the AirPods charging case could have simple water resistance, or could include a full waterproof seal that would be able to survive submersion up to 100 feet for 30 minutes.

Apple notes that In various embodiments the liquid-tight seal shall be rated between 3 (spraying water) and 6 (powerful water jets) while in some embodiments the liquid-tight seal shall be rated between 4 (splashing water) and 7 (immersion up to 1 meter). In various embodiments the liquid-tight seal shall be rated between 5 (water jets) and 8 (immersion beyond 1 meter) while in some embodiments liquid-tight shall mean the seal will protect the electronic device against liquid ingress up to 100 feet for 30 minutes.

Wireless charging has been rumored for this year's upcoming iPhone 8, which is said to most likely use Apple's in-house wireless charging methods -- like the Apple Watch's inductive charging -- and not an extended-range solution. If the company integrated an inductive charging pad right onto the AirPods case, it would be an interesting mobile solution for users to juice up their Apple Watch or iPhone, but the amount of power that the AirPods charging case could hold remains unclear.

Article Link: New Patent Describes Waterproof AirPods Case That Could Double as iPhone or Apple Watch Charger

 

[LCPepper]

Though the already seem to be unofficially waterproof:

 

[twinlight]

Will have to be a way bigger case than it is now to make place for a far bigger battery.

 

[NT1440]

Will have to be a way bigger case than it is now to make place for a far bigger battery.

Only if it's ever intended to charge the phone (which is a silly notion to begin with). The watch has a 246 mAh battery, while the Airpods Case has 398. Each Airpod has a 98 mAh in it.

That means using just the current battery (which they likely wouldn't) You could fully charge both AirPods from dead and still nearly fully charge the watch, all off one full AirPod case charge.

 

[69Mustang]

I'm all for making products as water resistant as possible. The more the better.
[doublepost=1491827304][/doublepost]

Only if it's ever intended to charge the phone (which is a silly notion to begin with). The watch has a 246 mAh battery, while the Airpods Case has 398. Each Airpod has a 98 mAh in it.

That means using just the current battery (which they likely wouldn't) You could fully charge both AirPods from dead and still nearly fully charge the watch, all off one full AirPod case charge.

According to the article...

When any of these methods are activated, the case would begin charging the external device, which also could include MacBooks

Definitely require larger device.

 

[NT1440]

I'm all for making products as water resistant as possible. The more the better.
[doublepost=1491827304][/doublepost]
According to the article...

Definitely require larger device.

"Which could include"

So Apple is leaving the door open for a much more powerful range of charging accessories, but that description doesn't require it. That said, the logical first step would be a charger for the Watch itself seeing as it wouldn't require carrying around a mythical cable that doesn't exist currently.

For context, all of their patents always include a long list of "could includes". Their liquid metal patents include car parts, but that doesn't mean it's currently in the pipeline. It's IP squatting really.

 

[lk400]

I could see this being implemented as a travel function. yiu could bring just one iPhone charger for your phone, AirPods and watch. Currently you need two.

 

[Arran]

I could see this being implemented as a travel function. yiu could bring just one iPhone charger for your phone, AirPods and watch. Currently you need two.

I'll buy. Immediately!

Even if it only passed power straight through from the lightning cable (plugged into the AirPods case) to the watch. No need to make the case bigger to hold a bigger battery.

That, or just make a small watch charging "puck" with no cables attached and socket for standard lightning cable to attach.

 

[NT1440]

That, or just make a small watch charging "puck" with no cables attached and socket for standard lightning cable to attach.

That exists, I'm still mulling over if I want to buy one personally. Great keychain devices.

 

[gorkt]

I would love this. There is a set of wireless earbuds on Amazon that doubles as a phone battery.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01KPG6BL...olid=9FA7IVXD1MD4&coliid=I13HBUD4D9T3K0&psc=1

 

[Avieshek]

So, iPhone 8 might come with Airpods shipped in the case?

 

[44267547]

Though the already seem to be unofficially waterproof:

The Airpods are no where near waterproof. They don't even have a water resistance rating, regardless what this video shows. Some have had positive results when using the Airpods in the rain for example and others have experienced immediate failures with sweat or submersion by accident in the washing machine. There are so many variables, but Apple will likely improve the rating in the future.

 

[Bromeo]

I'd love to have bi-directional inductive charging: let me set the AirPods case on my charging puck for the Apple Watch. Conversely, allow charging Apple Watch by setting it on the AirPods case.