New patent filings show Apple is interested in turning the AirPods charging case into a wireless Apple Watch charger
As discovered in a filing by Apple to the United States Patent and Trademark Office last year, the company is looking into the possibility of allowing future iPhone and Apple Watch users to charge their devices from their AirPods charging case that, when placed flat on a surface, could turn into an Apple Watch charging pad thanks to a “wireless power transmitting component”.
The patent application details the possibility of a waterproof case design which is leading some to believe that future AirPods themselves could be made waterproof. The reports of Apple turning the AirPods case into a charging station comes as many speculate that their upcoming iPhone release will feature inductive wireless charging, and having a wireless charging station in your pocket would certainly be welcomed news for many.
“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.”