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Apple’s Future MacBooks Could Feature Surround Sound System Patently Apple

Apple appears to be working on a surround sound system in its Macbook-like devices, according to Patently Apple.

The debut of the new system could help Apple come up with thinner gadgets.

Apple is believed to be working to implement audio transducers in electrical communication with the processor. The audio transducer could be combined with other speakers into an electronic gadget like laptop, tablet or any other hand-held device.

The audio transducer consists of a magnetic coil and a magnet in communication with the magnetic coil. According to a blog, Apple states that the audio transducer could operate in such a way that it offers a near full range response frequency. The outcome could be both low and mid-range frequencies.

The company states that an audio transducer could be integrated into a seat or chair, which may vibrate not only the chair but also the person sitting on it. In addition, the audio transducer could be brought together with a capacitive touch-based input which could ensure that the user's hands may act to increase or decrease the output of transducer.

According to a blog, the audio transducer could be a gel speaker, surface transducer or any other device which will produce sound by vibrating a surface. The transducer will receive the electrical signals which will be translated into vibrations. The vibrations in turn could be obtained as audible sound. When an electrical signal is transferred via coil, it acts as an electromagnet. The coil could alternate between being magnetically active and inactive, if an irregular current is passed via coil. Possibly, the magnet could be driven in specific motions. The motions could vibrate not only in air, but also the surface to which the magnet will be attached. Hence, the audio transducer could make vibrations in any surface to which the transducer will be attached. The outcome from the motion of the surface could be the audible sound waves.

The patent application was originally filed in the third quarter 2010. The credit is given to Aleksandar Pance, Paul Puskarich, Craig Leong, Ronald Isaac, Ruchi Goel, Jim Tenneboe, Daniel Culbert, Neil Warren and Nathan Johanningsmeier.