While having a reliable source inside Apple is a good way to learn about the company’s plans for the future, another simpler way is following their patent applications. According to an application published by the United States Patent & Trademark Office, Apple appears to have plans to add a surround sound audio system into MacBook-like devices, and this system might help them to make even thinner products.

To enable surround sound configurations, the system will include audio transducers along with multiple speakers. And from the looks of things, Apple is planning to improve audio quality while decreasing the sizes of speakers so that they fit into smaller and thinner form factors. When this detail is combined with the info about thinner keyboards, it’s safe to believe that the future Apple machines will be the thinnest ever.

So, how does this system work? The system includes a few speakers and an audio transducer below the device’s keyboard. The configuration would allow speakers on either side of the screen to handle high range frequencies, while mid-range frequencies will come out through the lower speakers and the audio transducer would handle the low-range. According to Apple, the transducer could provide low and mid-range frequencies.

“…the transducer may output both low and mid-range frequencies, essentially performing as a “subtweeter.” In such embodiments, the speaker may output not only bass range frequencies (e.g., about 20-500 Hz), but also mid-frequencies (e.g., about 500-1500 Hz or higher)… The audio transducer may be combined with other speakers in an electronic device such as a laptop, tablet or handheld computing device 10. For example, in one embodiment, two tweeters and one woofer may be combined with the audio transducer. The transducer may output the bass channel and, optionally, the middle ranges, while the tweeters handle high frequency outputs. The woofer may output its standard range of frequencies. Through the combination of the woofer and the audio transducer, more decibels per watt may be outputted, especially in bass frequencies”.

They are also saying that the transducer, which could be a gel speaker or surface transducer, can be placed inside a chair, keyboard, or a touch-based input device to provide tactile feedback for a better “home theater experience”.

So, what do you think about this?

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Research in Motion tried to provide tactile feedback with the SurePress technology on the BlackBerry Storm. I didn’t like that. LG tries to provide tactile feedback with a vibrating touchscreen on some phones. I’m not a huge fan of that eiher. Will I like this new tech? Maybe.

The idea is that the screen can be filled with “inflatable” buttons. When not in use, you get a flush touchscreen like how you always would. When you do want them, however, you can flip the switch and the buttons will fill up to take on the appearance of hardware buttons.

The researchers at Carnegie Mellon University are slowly working on this tech that will surely innovate the industry. We also hear that the surface will be made of latex so that it can expand and deflate at will, while providing a comfortable surface for human touch. I hear your snickering.

With the CMU touchscreen, you span that great divide between tactile feedback and touchscreen versatility. It can also detect the amount of pressure exerted based on the amount of pressure displaced.

Source: Newlaunches

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