Apple’s dreaming up ways to make Vision Pro sound as good as it looks.
Apple’s Vision Pro headset may soon have a suite of new audio companions. Recent patent filings hint that Apple is working on new sound technology for its mixed-reality device.
From new devices to software solutions, these can give users an audio experience as immersive as the visual experience they get from Vision Pro. And, they target common user complaints on comfortability, spatial awareness, and convenience.
Here are the most notable ones:
Flexible and Detachable Audio Technology
A February 2023 patent application shows flexible speakers that can fit the curved surfaces of an XR headset. These speakers could bend under pressure while maintaining sound quality using a mix of electromagnets and permanent magnets.
This is quite different from the current Vision Pro’s built-in audio system, which uses fixed speakers near the user’s ears. The flexible speaker technology could make the headset less bulky and heavy for more comfortable sessions.
An October 2023 patent takes this idea further with a detachable speaker accessory for the Vision Pro.
These are over-ear cups that stick magnetically to the headset for better customization and comfort. Meaning, no more fiddling with headbands or worrying about fit – these cups would pivot for optimal comfort and seal.
Plus, the patent details an interface for audio adjustments and context-based sound alerts within the Vision Pro’s display.
This indicator does more than just show volume. It can pulse with the music’s beat or get stronger during huge sound events, making the audio-visual experience more immersive.
Wearable Devices and Dual-Mode Headphones
Apple’s plans go beyond the headset itself. A patent granted in May 2024 describes a wearable audio device that can send sound to a user’s ears from a distance.
This clip-on style device uses a group of speakers to create focused audio beams, offering a more comfortable option than regular earbuds or headphones.
It’s a good solution for those who don’t want to add more devices to their heads when already using the Vision Pro. Plus, it also lets people enjoy immersive audio while consistently staying aware of what’s around them.
What’s great about this device is how versatile it is. You can clip it to your clothes and enjoy your own audio space without bothering others nearby.
But here’s where it gets really interesting – these devices aren’t limited to personal wear. The patent suggests they could be attached to furniture or other objects in your environment, too.
In a similar vein, an August 2023 patent application describes dual-speaker headphones that can do both private listening and a new “public mode.” This system could automatically adjust based on the user’s environment, restricting audio to private mode in quiet spaces.
The system also uses machine learning to determine which mode to operate based on the user’s past behavior. So, the headphones can instinctively know when you want to share your audio and when you prefer to keep it private.
More Advanced Spatial Audio and Head Tracking
Apple isn’t all about hardware audio solutions for the Vision Pro, though.
For one, a May 2023 patent outlines improved ways to track head position for spatial audio, which could make virtual audio environments much more realistic.
By using the built-in gyroscopes and accelerometers in devices like AirPods Max, Apple aims to create a more stable and immersive audio experience that really ties sounds to the user’s device.
But, the level of precision described in this patent suggests a big step forward in spatial audio quality.
The technology goes beyond simple head tracking.
It uses complex calculations to estimate gravity direction in both the source device and headset reference frames. Then, it combines this data with motion information from both the source device and the headset.
With this, the system can create a highly accurate model of the user’s position and orientation in space, leading to more precise and responsive spatial audio.
This level of accuracy in spatial audio could greatly improve how sound is positioned and moves in virtual environments.