Future HomePod could have touch controls built into its fabric sides
In addition to Siri and touch controls on the top of the current HomePod, a future model could let you touch any side of the speaker in order to perform basic media control.
Patents
Future Apple Smart Keyboards could connect directly to the iPad touchscreen
A future Smart Keyboard from Apple could connect directly to the iPad’s capacitive touchscreen and read key presses, no Bluetooth or Smart Connector required at all.
Apple ordered to pay WiLan $85 million over patent infringements
Apple is now tasked with paying WiLan $85 million (instead of $145 million) over infringing a couple of patents owned by WiLan.
Apple audio patent details ‘virtual acoustics audio systems’ for improved audio in MacBooks
Apple has earned a patent for “virtual acoustics” in MacBooks, which would improve the overall audio quality.
Apple gets a patent for an under-display Touch ID fingerprint sensor
Should Apple decide to use this tech in new products, expect a next-generation Touch ID fingerprint sensing in a variety of devices, including Apple Watch.
Apple researching automatic Memoji creation from your photos
A future version of the Memoji feature on iPhone and iPad might be able to automatically generate a virtual three-dimensional avatar from users’ photographs.
Apple patents detail Apple Watch bands with skin texture authentication and more
Apple has gotten approval for a trio of new patent applications, detailing new features for the Apple Watch including a self-tightening strap, skin texture authentication, and more.
Apple is researching eye tracking solutions for its rumored augmented reality headset
Apple is rumored to be working on an advanced augmented reality headset. Its latest patent filing offers a glimpse into how accurate and reliable gaze tracking could permit users to interact with a computer-generated environment more easily than with hands.
Apple’s rumored over-the-ear headphones could feature orientation detection and a folding headband for easy transport
Apple’s been researching small over-the-ear headphone designs with a foldable headband and orientation detection.
Appeals court rules Apple must pay VirnetX $440 million in patent case
A U.S. appeals court has upheld a judgement against Apple worth $440 million, reports Reuters. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit denied the iPhone-maker’s request to throw out the 2016 jury verdict, which found it guilty of infringing on patents belonging to VirnetX.
Apple to stop selling iPhone 7 and 8 in Germany as Qualcomm secures another sales ban
After a German court concluded that Apple is in violation of a Qualcomm hardware patent, Apple said it would pull some iPhone models from its own stores in the country.
Apple confirms iOS 12.1.2 circumvents Qualcomm patents in China
Apple’s acknowledged that the iPhone-exclusive iOS 12.1.2 software update has indeed circumvented a pair of Qualcomm patents, despite Qualcomm’s claims to the contrary.
