Apple has been researching how to make a small, wearable loudspeaker that would use beamformed audio to make it clearly audible to the wearer, yet not disturb anyone else.
Detail from the patent showing Bod wearing an audio device
Apple calls a newly-revealed patent application by the name, “Wearable Device with Directional Audio,” but it’s really “Star Trek: The Next Generation.” At heart, this is how to solve the problem of your entire Away Team plus enemy aliens hearing when your mother calls to ask if you remembered your coat, or why you forgot your Humane AI Pin.
Apple researching how to make a ‘Star Trek’ communicator badge
Apple researching how to make a ‘Star Trek’ communicator badge