While AirPods Pro 2 are already the best available AirPods, it seems that future versions could get better in ways we didn’t really expect.
On February 4, 2025, US Patent and Trademark Office Apple awarded a new patent (via patentapple) that relates to its line with the ear sound hardware that could see a future AirPod’s Pro model Get more comprehensive Touch Controller Self. You are using them with a Pair of gloves theoretically.
Touch Controls are a difficult thing for in-ear headphones: Unlike the over-ear models that have plenty of space to accommodate large touch panels, the earphones in the ear have to respond to very small, precise movements.
The existing AirPods Pro 2 ear plugs support touch controls for volume, playback and ANC modes, but through a limited series of presses and vertical swipes along the protruding stem.
However, this new patent seems to replace the small vent in AirPods Proing with an external touch sensor, which probably enables more controlled volume adjustments, playback and the like.
The diagrams included in the patent seem focused on vertical movements, as well as those used to adjust the volume along the trunk of existing airpod models. It is possible that this sensor would allow Apple to ditch the tribal sensor for a more reliable, responsive version, although the final product could potentially allow for a wider range of inputs.
Of crucial importance, this sensor does not appear to require capacitive touch inputs, such as those activated by the conductive touch of your finger, but rather through the movement of an ‘object’ moving up or down the sensor’s’ geometric ‘edges.
This suggests that users can implement touch checks, even with a glossy hand, allowing for lighter volume and/or playback adjustment in colder weather – something at the forefront of our minds in the current winter.
At the moment you can play/pause/change the ANC modes on AirPods Pro 2 by squeezing the stems and this works with gloves on – but the volume control does not, which is a slightly frustrating inconsistency.
It is three years since the launch of AirPods Pro 2 and it is very likely that we see AirPods Pro 3 Slip some time in 2025. Just because something is patented, of course it doesn’t mean it’s about to be implemented immediately but if Apple was able to squeeze this smart fine tuning to touch the next version it would be A good quality -of life upgrade.
