Apple AirPods could get another virtual climate reproduction innovation, according to a new patent that the iPhone maker has received in the United States. The patent describes an immersive audio environment simulation feature for future earbuds that may simulate the space around a user to tune their audio signature. Apple’s Spatial Audio feature may use custom chips, software augmentation, and the audio signal processor to create listening experiences tailored specifically to the user’s surroundings, described as a “measurement of the virtual listening environment.”

The feature will dynamically adjust the audio parameters or equalizer to create listening experiences that closely resemble the acoustic characteristics of a variety of settings, including a classroom, open field, concert hall, living room, and public transportation. Apple aims to create more immersive listening experiences, improving the overall fidelity of audio performance from its earphones and making the audio output more three-dimensional.

There is no way to know when this technology will be available to the general public, as with every patent. However, this new feature fits seamlessly with the Apple AirPods setup and could be a component in the future.

While scaling environments to provide a simulated acoustic experience is not new, Apple intends to supplement this with dynamic, on-the-fly audio performance adjustment, a feature that was not present in earlier stage experiences, which offered only preset audio environment simulations. This new feature, if incorporated, would further cement Apple’s position in the audio industry as a manufacturer of high-quality and innovative audio products.

With the tech giant’s history of bringing cutting-edge technology to the masses, it will be interesting to see how this new feature is integrated into future AirPods. As always, Apple’s implementation of this technology will likely be seamless, making the listening experience even more immersive for users.