Apple AirPods Pro 2 leak reveals radical "through-body" controls

Apple AirPods Pro 2 leak
(Image credit: Future)

The hotly anticipated Apple AirPods Pro 2 could feature "through-body" response technology, allowing users to control the next-generation Apple noise-cancelling wireless earbuds by touching their face, clicking their tongue or making in-air hand gestures. 

The development was spotted in a patent by Patently Apple, who reports: "Today the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office officially granted Apple a second AirPods Pro patent relating to new input methods."

According to the patent, the next-gen tech would "detect signals passed through the structure of the human body", including "an ear, the walls of an ear canal, a head, a user's body, a body part". 

In other words, you could tap your foot to play a song or click your tongue to skip a track. The patent even suggests the user could "swipe a structure", meaning you could, for example, control the volume by circling your finger around the palm of your hand. 

New Apple AirPods Pro leak

(Image credit: Patently Apple)

There's also talk of "in-air hand gestures". Similar functionality has already made its way into a handful of high-end smartphones, which use radar modules to recognise a user waving their hand or pinching their fingers, and then react accordingly.

As futuristic as "through-body" controls sound, the patent seems to show the technology demonstrated in a pair of wireless earbuds that could well be the rumoured AirPods Pro 2 buds, expected to be released in late 2021.

Apple has yet to comment on its whizzy new invention, or even the existence of the AirPods Pro 2 for that matter. But we wouldn't doubt the firm's ambitions when it comes to innovative headphone technologies. After all, the AirPods Max, Apple's first over-ear headphones, feature some pretty nifty control tech of their own. And there's plenty of interesting leaks surrounding the upcoming AirPods 3, too.

MORE:

Browse today's best AirPods deals

Everything you need to know about the Apple AirPods Pro 2

Check out the new iPhone 12 (2020) to go with them

And see what they're up against: best over-ear headphones

What Hi-Fi?

What Hi-Fi?, founded in 1976, is the world's leading independent guide to buying and owning hi-fi and home entertainment products. Our comprehensive tests help you buy the very best for your money, with our advice sections giving you step-by-step information on how to get even more from your music and movies. Everything is tested by our dedicated team of in-house reviewers in our custom-built test rooms in London, Reading and Bath. Our coveted five-star rating and Awards are recognised all over the world as the ultimate seal of approval, so you can buy with absolute confidence.

Read more about how we test