Although Apple-owned Beats Electronics have offered Beats Fit Pro earbuds with wingtips since November 2021, a newly granted patent from Apple published today reveals that a future version of either AirPods Pro or Beats Fit Pro will include wingtips with a new Multi-Functional Button.  

In one aspect, Apple's granted patent pertains to a portable acoustic device, worn in an ear of a user, that includes a device housing and an anchor (e.g. a wingtip shaped anchor) that extends from the device housing for securing the device in the ear.

Uniquely, and different from the Beats Fit Pro,  Apple notes that the device body and anchor extending from the device body includes an integrated with a multi-function button.

In some embodiments, the multi-function button is actuated by pressing against the wingtip anchor on the earbud device. The multifunction button can be, for example, a rocker switch disposed in the earbud device body underlying the wingtip anchor and the base portion of the wingtip anchor acts as a faceplate of the button so that contacting the wingtip actuates the rocker switch.

In some embodiments, the rocker switch allows a user to input different commands based on the location on the wingtip where the user presses and the duration for which the multifunction button is depressed.

In some embodiments, the device includes a rocker switch disposed in the device housing that is configured for controlling a function of the device upon actuation. The anchor includes a base portion and a distal projection portion, where the base portion is coupled to the device housing adjacent the rocker switch such that manual contact of the anchor actuates the rocker switch. In some embodiments, the base portion of the anchor is movably attached to the device housing and covers the rocker switch in the device housing. The rocker switch can include a movable plunger that moves, upon manual contact with the base portion of the anchor, so as to actuate the rocker switch.

In some embodiments, the device includes a rocker switch disposed in the device housing that is configured for controlling a function of the device upon actuation. The anchor includes a base portion and a distal projection portion, where the base portion is coupled to the device housing adjacent the rocker switch such that manual contact of the anchor actuates the rocker switch.

Apple's patent FIG. 1 below is a simplified illustration of an exemplary portable electronic audio device system having a host device configured as a smart phone, a case, and a pair of wireless audio earbud devices with wingtips.

Apple's patent FIGS. 18 and 19A-19C above shows various cross-sectional view of the interior of the device body #10 that interfaces with the wingtip anchor #20 in accordance with some embodiments. Cross-sectional views A-A and B-B shown in FIGS. 19A and 19B respectively, show internal components of the multi-function button. As shown in cross-section A-A in FIG. 19A, the integrated multi-function button 50 includes wing-tip base portion which defines the face plate of the button.

It's difficult to ascertain with certainty whether the granted patent is for Beats or Apple, as Apple owns Beats. While there are Apple engineers listed on the patent, there are some from the former Beats prior to Apple acquiring them that are sill with Apple.

Will the Multi-Functional button differentiate AirPods Pro from the Beats Fit Pro or is it a future Beats update feature? Only time will tell.