Patent Applications Reveal Apple's Product Plans

[Michael Essany]

If a host of new patent applications discovered are any indication, Apple is preparing to get even more creative than usual with future product offerings. According to Apple Insider, one such potential product is a headset with an integrated MP3 player.

Apple's concept for a new MP3 player would combine a Bluetooth headset for use with a cell phone, but include a separate, standalone MP3 player. Such an idea, the company's patent application reads, would save battery life on the cell phone and have media played exclusively through the headset.

Although the concept of a "trendy headset" seems to have died a long time ago, the concept put forward in the patent application is clever enough to possibly resurrect the shelf life of the headset. According to the careful wording used in the patent application, the headset could prove more convenient than any similar offering on the market by allowing it to serve as a media player while calls are not being made.

"When used with mobile telephones, such headsets are frequently worn continually by their users, even when not engaged in telephone calls, because it is too inconvenient to have to reinsert the headset in one's ear each time a call comes in, while the phone is ringing and before the caller gives up and disconnects," the application reads. "Therefore, such headsets may be idle most of the time that they are being worn."

Few would have ever expected Apple to have a product of this kind in the works, but the general reaction among Apple fans I know has been mixed. With responses ranging from "I would buy this" to "I'm not wasting money on this," its possible that there will be no middle ground covered if and when this product sees the light of day. In other words, consumers will either love it or hate it.

Nonetheless, just knowing that Apple is tinkering with such technology is sufficient to illustrate that, if nothing more, a more advanced Bluetooth headset for the iPhone and iPod touch could result from this endeavor. Still, it seems like Apple wants to turn over the apple cart - no put intended - by adding more versatility to its product line. And if this headset ultimately manifests in the outlined permutation, Apple will certainly succeed in that endeavor.

Recording also plays a part in the described device. The wireless headset would be able to record all or part of a conversation that takes place when the hardware is used with an external cell phone or landline. In addition, voicemail messages on the phone could be transferred to the headset for playback when not connected.

Image via Apple Insider

[jdys_1991]

Cool. But this really look SOOOOOO F***ing S*iT!!!!! LOLLLLLLLL

[dbizzy1]

I was wondering why they were taking so long to allow full stereo Bluetooth functionality to the iPhone/iPod...looks like they are trying to make their own so we can't use our own...Boooo, if that's the case!

[dq13]

it looks kinda uncomfortable.. also you buy the iphone/ipod so you can store your music and stuff, but with this having the availability to also store and works as mp3 player ??? doesn't make sence to me. Also I think everyone that get this will be wearing it all the time like a normal bluetooth, but listening to music when not on a phone call (as mentioned above) but they will even use it when driving, ridding bike, etc, not being able to listen to whats going on around you.. kinda dengerous

[billchase2]

Cool. But this really look SOOOOOO F***ing S*iT!!!!! LOLLLLLLLL

Wow, quality post.

Anyway, it should be interesting to see what they come up with.

[HDoan112]

ive been looking for something like this forever! i would def buy it

[sucram6791]

this would be amazing! definitely a good product for apple.

hopefully they have good headphones built in though and not their regular ones

[Exile Team]

all i want really is a cheap pair of wireless earbud headphones and ill be happy

[12jmartinez]

it looked like a stereo bluetooth headset to me ha

[havoc0351]

Don't even know if this will be allowed in California because we're suppose to be hands free BUT you need to have one ear free as well. Something about being able to hear whats going on in the world while you drive, i.e. sirens, honking, etc...

[tudtran]

That thing make you look like an old lady with trouble hearing.

[kaaroFC]

it looks kinda uncomfortable.. also you buy the iphone/ipod so you can store your music and stuff, but with this having the availability to also store and works as mp3 player ??? doesn't make sence to me. Also I think everyone that get this will be wearing it all the time like a normal bluetooth, but listening to music when not on a phone call (as mentioned above) but they will even use it when driving, ridding bike, etc, not being able to listen to whats going on around you.. kinda dengerous

You say that now...wait until this comes out and i bet you many people will still get it...the new revolution....

[laz305]

O boy finally a Stereo Bluetooth Headset by ape that looks perfect for me. I love how it can be a standard Bluetooth headset and then transform into stereo lol Now can they give us a clue as to how much this is going to cost and how long do we have to wait? I can only imagine if there last POS headset cost $100 I bet they'll double it for this one.

[CZroe]

If you can load music on it from your device on the go, consider me sold. Otherwise, I don't look forward to managing ANOTHER synced library and wasting space storing duplicated content.

[iphoneraz]

WOW! a Bluetooth stereo headset that can make and answer calls, and play music simultaneously amazing. Oh wait i already have one and it works superbly. Even synched with my ipod, and iphone at the same time and negotiates connections between the two so when my phone rings it pauses the music on the ipod and i can talk, then when i hang up it resumes playback. Why do i need the built in memory and that xtra thing hanging on one side, when i have over 46 GB of memory and a nice sleek light weight headset? I guess i don't. BTW my headset is a Motorola S9 for anyone curious.

[steve-z17]

all i want really is a cheap pair of wireless earbud headphones and ill be happy

I agree. It would be awesome to just have a pair of bluetooth Apple Earbud's. I would definitely keep those in my ears all day! This design looks kind of ugly and annoying. I guess it would appeal to some people who keep their BT headsets in 24/7.

[sziklassy]

Don't even know if this will be allowed in California because we're suppose to be hands free BUT you need to have one ear free as well. Something about being able to hear whats going on in the world while you drive, i.e. sirens, honking, etc...

I don't think the idea behind this device is to wear it while driving... Hell, if they are smart the part with the mic would be made detachable so that it can be used as just a bluetooth headset = best of both worlds. Personally I don't get the hype of bluetooth earphones myself.

[rwin84]

this idea has some potential but it would moving away from the integration the iphone brought to the market

[southfrisco]

Also I think everyone that get this will be wearing it all the time like a normal bluetooth, but listening to music when not on a phone call (as mentioned above) but they will even use it when driving, ridding bike, etc, not being able to listen to whats going on around you.. kinda dengerous

That is why it is against the law in certain states to drive with headphones on (which these basically become if you are listening to music). My guess would be that the bluetooth section pops off so you can use it as a mp3 and headset for one ear while having a second ear free otherwise this design doesn't make much sense with bluetooth...

[nighthawk283]

That looks so cool, i would love to see the final product