iPhone/iPod lanyard patent

Apple has filed for a patent describing lanyards that incorporate electronic circuitry, potentially adding telephony to any iPod or lighting effects that relate to the heart rates of joggers. The lanyards could also offer additional input mechanisms such as buttons, touch pads, or sliders, according to the patent filing. Apple's documentation notes that the connector unit may include additional ports, jacks, or connectors to couple additional peripheral devices with the handheld device. In some cases, the connector unit may even include a wireless interface so that the accompanying gadget can remotely communicate with other devices. In the case of a music player, the connector unit could allow users to broadcast music to other music players. The connector unit might also include a battery for providing additional power to the handheld electronic device, extending its life when used remotely as when worn around the neck.

by MacNN Staff