Rumours have spread earlier this year that Apple planned to release wireless headphones alongside the “iPhone 7,” the latest iteration of the iPhone which will supposedly not have a 3.5mm connection. Apple has reportedly trademarked the term “AirPods” adding credence to the rumours that a wireless headphone accessory will be available for the upcoming iPhone. More details have surfaced recently about these AirPods. A trademark going through the review process shows that a company called Entertainment in Flight LLC filed for it. And it isn’t exactly news that Apple uses shell companies to file for trademarks. They have done this before for “iPad,” “CarPlay,” and “iWatch.”
The latest filing for the patent was signed by manager Jonathan Brown, who shares the name of an attorney Apple employs as Senior Standards Counsel. The position has him handling things such as patents and trademarks. Whether this is just a shell company for Apple or not, Apple files patents and trademarks without necessarily using them. Perhaps this could be a case of them covering all bases (if it is a shell company) or we could be seeing wireless AirPods to go with the iPhone 7s (or be sold separately as an extra accessory).