An Apple patent application published last week gives a preview of possible future Apple tech.
They discuss authenticating a user based on biometric ID obtained from wireless headphones.
In one example, the Air Pods emit a signal into the user's ear canal and measure the reflection. Each person's reflection is unique - much like a fingerprint.
This could be used to prevent unauthorised use which improves data security and reduces theft risk.
Another example of patent publications providing a first glimpse of possible future tech.
The authorization of the user may be further based on obtaining biometric information from a device, such as the wireless headphones 804 . In particular, as discussed in more detail with respect to FIG. 9, biometric information associated with an ear of the user may be obtained from wireless headphones 804 . For example, various signals may be output at wireless headphones 804 , wherein an impulse response is received from wireless headphones 804 based on the output signals. The impulse response may correspond to a biometric representation related to an ear of the user (e.g., an inner-ear representation). In accordance with a determination that the obtained biometric information corresponds to reference biometric information (e.g., a reference inner-ear representation), the user is identified as an authorized user of wireless headphones 804 and associated mobile device 810 .