Apple Patents to Transforming Headphones Into Speakers
Circuitry will detect the headphone's position.
In a new patent filing, Apple has confirmed the firm is looking to create headphones that can double as external speakers.
The patent, which was filed with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, describes a "dual-mode headphone" that delivers sound whether it's worn around a user's ears or placing them on a surface.
The headphones itself would feature circuitry in order to detect their position. They would sense when the headphones are situated around or near your ears so it doesn't deliver an excessive amount of sound.
A built-in amplifier would increase the audio to offer higher output when the headphones are acting as external speakers. When it's in that mode, audio ports would be able to transmit sound away from the surface in order for it to fill up the room better.
The patent, which was originally filed last year by inventor Edward Hyatt, suggests the user would be able to manually change the headphones between the two aforementioned modes.

Why are you Apple's bitch, tom?
Why are you Apple's bitch, tom?
Does this mean Logitech is now infringing upon Apple's brand new patent as the headphones can be used as speakers and have been able to be used as such for 2 years?
Been even used in old spy movies.
wow fking priceless... Apple never fails to amaze us by sinking to new levels of fail
Another problem is that higher output means larger speakers and larger speakers are usually less linear at low output so sound quality could be a problem.
exactly...
i can see someone writing a virus for this just for the hell of it too...
no thanks
Patent overturned, right?
Although, if a black berry had been seen falling from a vine, then RIM would be suing I guess. Oh, well... ;o)
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/7950020/iPods-and-MP3-players-linked-to-teenage-deafness.html
Apple: Your ears are holding the headphones bad. Well, that won't pose a problem once you get your RFID implant,
Customer: I already had my RFID implant, and my immune system is holding it bad...