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Apple possibly developing wireless earphones

Apple could be developing its own brand of wireless earphones, if a recent trademark application is anything to go by.

For all Apple’s efforts in the music industry with iTunes, Apple Music, and the acquisition of Beast Audio, it still only produces a fairly mediocre set of wired earphones for its devices.

However, based on recent trademark filings, that could be set to change.

MacRumours has uncovered evidence that Apple is attempting to trademark the ‘AirPods’ name around the world. This is telling because the company calls its existing earphones ‘EarPods’.

The filing makes mention of the AirPods in conjunction with audio accessories, earphones, microphones, wireless communication devices, and similar types of products.

So what could these AirPod be? Given the similarity of the name to Apple’s EarPods, it would suggest that a wireless set of earphones is in development at Apple.

Admittedly, these trademark filings weren’t actually made by Apple directly, but by Entertainment in Flight, LLC. This is apparently a Delaware company housed at the Corporation Trust Centre.

Related: Best headphones 2015

Using such a shell company is a diversionary tactic Apple has used in the past, and the report is confident from the familiar pattern of the filings Apple is indeed behind them.

It would also suggest that Apple is keen to keep the Beats brand separate from its own earphone hardware efforts for the foreseeable future.

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