A customer visits the Apple Store in New York City's Grand Central Station. Credit: Reuters/Brendan McDermid
A patent seen by Patently Apple outlines the 'dual-mode headphone' that can switch between two settings,
from an in-ear headphone to a speaker with amplifier.
The headphones function normally until the user decides to take them off and activate the speakers, the Telegraph reports.
According the to the patent, the headphone ear covers could be rotated through 90 degrees so that they could rest on a surface facing upwards for use as speakers.
The amplifier would be switched off when the headphones are worn normally, and could be turned on manually or automatically when the headphones are rested in speaker position, the patent filing said.
A sensor would be used to detect when the headphones are being worn to prevent the speaker mode from being engaged, it added.