Apple looking to build 'unibody' earbuds through ultrasonic bonding
By using a process known as ultrasonic bonding, Apple could create new iPhone and iPod earbuds that would have a seamless, more aesthetically pleasing "unibody" appearance.
Headsets and earbuds include a number of different components — such as cables, a jack, a microphone, and the headphones — all of which must be pieced together. The result, Apple believes, can be "abrupt and aesthetically displeasing."
The company could resolve this with new headsets featuring a range of components that would "seamlessly integrate" with one another, as described in a new patent application discovered by AppleInsider. The filing, entitled "Ultrasonically Welded Structures and Methods for Making the Same," describes how different components could be welded together for a seamless look.
Apple describes the new headphones as having an appearance that they were constructed as "a seamless unibody structure," even though the earbuds may include two different component pieces welded together.
Combining two different elements in this way may form a weld ring that can be cut, sanded, polished and cleaned. This allows the headphone to appear to be one piece, even though it may actually be a number of connected pieces.
Apple's desire to build a better set of earbuds was also detailed in a separate application published this week, entitled "Curved Plastic Object and Systems and Methods for Deburring the Same." It describes building curved plastic objects in the shape of a cap or grill of a headphone or earbud.
The filing notes that holes are needed in earbuds to allow sound to travel, but the creation of those holes can result in remnants in or around them that degrade both the appearance of the device and the acoustic properties of the headphones.
The solution presented in that application is a tool for "deburring" a curved plastic object. The tool could be coated in an abrasive material and would conform to the shape of the curved object, then polish it by vibrating while in contact with the plastic surface.
Both the inner and outer surfaces would be both "deburred" and polished, ensuring that no remnants remain in the holes or on any surface of the headphones.
The ultrasonic welding patent application is credited to Jeff Hayashida, Jonathan Aase, Rico Zorkendorfer, and Evans M. Hankey. Both Hayashida and Aase are also credited with the curved plastic patent application.
[ View article on AppleInsider ]
Comments
I think they should concentrate on the internals i never either bother to unpack apple iphones because they are so dire.
I second that. Many years ago I tried them when I couldn't find my in-ear phones but they were painful.
I have no idea how good the quality was since I didn't use them long enough to find out but I have purchased Apple's in-ear buds before. For the money they are good, but after having a much more expensive pair of Shure in-ear phones they weren't good enough. One thing I liked about them was the length of the cord. It's about 10" shorter than other companies so they aren't getting snagged as often.
The most comfortable in-ear phones I've used are by Klipsch. The price was between Apple and Shure with a decent enough sound for the price but the way the 3.5mm jack assembly was assembled in a way that doesn't allow for abuse.
By using a process known as ultrasonic bonding, Apple could create new iPhone and iPod earbuds that would have a seamless, more aesthetically pleasing "unibody" appearance.
Maybe, just maybe, apple should spend a little less time on making them pretty, and a little more time on making them sound better?
Apple headphones are dreadful.
When I got my iPod, I put the earphones on ebay still sealed. Useless rubbish, no matter how aesthetically pleasing to the eye.
This sort of nonsense has cost Apple quite a few sales. To this day, there is still a widely held belief that iPods are inferior sounding devices compared to rival products from Sony, Sansa etc. All because people took a listen to them using the stock buds and came to the conclusion they sounded inferior. Which of course they did.
Sometimes margins and penny pinching does not pay off. Apple's ear buds being a classic example.
I suspect 80% of the reason behind the existence of anythingbutipod.com could be Apple's inferior earbuds.
It's one of the few things about Apple that we can all hate.
Maybe, just maybe, apple should spend a little less time on making them pretty, and a little more time on making them sound better?
Apple headphones are dreadful.
The only ones that can be worn for any length of time are the custom fitted ones.
There is also something that is known in the recording industry. Depending on the sound pressure levels, it is a good practice to keep the sound pressure level within a comfortable range usually less than 85 db and usually take a rest after about an hour or so. Now, we don't know what the db rating is when we use earbuds. I don't like wearing earbuds for long periods of time, and I try to find a pair that is comfortable, but unfortunately the best ones are custom fit and they are expensive.
The only ones that can be worn for any length of time are the custom fitted ones.
There is also something that is known in the recording industry. Depending on the sound pressure levels, it is a good practice to keep the sound pressure level within a comfortable range usually less than 85 db and usually take a rest after about an hour or so. Now, we don't know what the db rating is when we use earbuds. I don't like wearing earbuds for long periods of time, and I try to find a pair that is comfortable, but unfortunately the best ones are custom fit and they are expensive.
There are many, many models available for less than apple sells theirs, which are vastly superior to the dreck sold by apple.
There is no need to go to extremes.
?dreck sold by apple.
There is no need to go to extremes.
Wow. Filler.
There are many, many models available for less than apple sells theirs, which are vastly superior to the dreck sold by apple. ....
This is true for the earbuds but not for the in-ear ones they sell separately.
The earbuds that come with the device are only meant for kids and old-folks who don't know any better.
They work rather well as a douchebag identifier on transit though.
The guy wearing them with the volume turned up who doesn't even realise that their sh*tty music is being heard by everyone else on the train is always good for a laugh.
This is true for the earbuds but not for the in-ear ones they sell separately.
Those earbuds are a total ripoff too. $80 for those?
If anyone has married the two* superbly, it is Apple.
*I mean aesthetics and functionality, in general.
Alas, the Cable is Too Short! It must be worse for taller people!
What I'd LOVE to have is:
an Extension, where Apple's Playback Control is connected directly to my iPhone 4S, and I can plug in any Earphones with Mic into that Extension! That way I could have the Best of Both!!!
Q: Does anyone know of such Extension? Or is that Apple Playback Control proprietary only to Apple?
My Dream Scenario:
All BLUETOOTH!!! In Ear Headphones with Mic!!!
Apple's Playback Control built into a wrist watch!!!
In Ear would help to cut off the Street Noise, and Customizable Fit!
FIT -- that's also personal!!! We are all built different.. In Ear = Customizable Fit! Solved!
SOUND? = that's relative! iPhones are not mean to be for "audiophiles", particularly on noisy streets etc!
When I recently shopped for Bluetooth, In Ear, Headset & Mic, I was again reminded how much better Apple's Headphone w/Mic sounded, and how much better the Playback Control was!!! This one was particularly terrible: MOTOROLA S10-HD http://j.mp/GOyIpb is HORRIBLE http://j.mp/GYHjET
Of course, with BT Headphones/Mic - it's a trade off as far as fit, particularly when exercising!!!
I'll probably just get Apple's In Ear Headphone Mic, and hopefully the cable will be LONGER PLEASE! Then I'll see if something totally Irresistible is Available! Shopping Online for such products with Returns, $hipping Fees, is a Pain In The REAR?..
The white iPod earbuds are probably good for 98% of consumers, who are listening to over-produced, lossy compressed contemporary music in relatively poor listening environments. Which is why you see a lot of people using the white earbuds. Plus, many consumers don't baby their personal electronics. Get a new iPod/iPhone, get a new set of earbuds because the old ones are trashed.
It makes no sense for Apple to include $50 premium headphones with every single iDevice. If you care about audio quality, you'd want Apple to continue their practice of including adequate, mass-market earbuds.
From a performance perspective, the "hated" white earbuds are in line/par with whatever has shipped with other consumer-grade personal music players over the past thirty years, starting with the first Sony Walkman cassette players.
I will point out that the vast majority of Apple's patent filings never make it to a store shelf as a finished product. People here are getting worked up over nothing.
Morever, the improved earbuds could be a separate premium product, they wouldn't need to necessarily replace the current included earbuds.
Myself, someone who ignores the included earbuds. I'm using a $30 pair of Scosche earbuds with the inline microphone on my iPhone. The audio quality is a step up, but I use these when I'm out and about. If I want real headphones, I can plug in my Grado SR-80s, but I'm not schlepping those around.
Maybe they should work on making them more comfortable with better acoustics. I don't care how they look.
I agree. I couldn't care less how they work. I generally use my iPod only on long flights and earbuds are too uncomfortable. Give me my noise-canceling headphones any day.
BTW, I'm having a hard time trying to figure out what's supposed to be novel about this patent application. This type of ultrasonic bonding has been in use for decades. Even the pointed concentrators in the photo are pretty standard. And the debarring tool is a joke.
They work rather well as a douchebag identifier on transit though.
The guy wearing them with the volume turned up who doesn't even realise that their sh*tty music is being heard by everyone else on the train is always good for a laugh.
I disagree, those douchebags know full well that everyone else on the train is bothered by it.