The screen provides various information
Apple files a lot of patents, most of which will never see the light of day as consumer products. However, China has already released a product for which Apple received a patent in 2021, but never presented it. We are talking about a case for AirPods Pro with a built-in touch display.
Activated by opening the case lid, the display allows users to select noise control, Find My Headphones, select equalizer settings and lock the screen. The display also shows users each AirPod's battery level, current time, and Bluetooth connectivity.
«The usefulness of the headphone case can be enhanced and user control over the wireless headphones can be improved by configuring the headphone case with an interactive user interface that allows the user to control operations related to the wireless headphones». — says Apple's 2021 patent.
Apple envisioned such a case to control Apple Music, while the screen would provide haptic feedback, allowing the user to control audio playback, adjust volume, select favorite songs, and interact with music in other ways.
The patent claims that by integrating an interactive touch display in this way, «disadvantages associated with user control of wireless headphones are reduced or eliminated».