Apple Glasses may have a modular contraption The rumored mixed reality glasses could have interchangeable arms, each serving a different purpose or performing a different function

At least that's what Apple's latest patent suggests The patent, obtained this week by the USPTO (via AppleInsider), details a "modular system for head-mounted devices" that uses "one or more arm modules that provide the ability to integrate with other operations"

The Apple Glass leaks we have seen so far suggest that the final product will be a "less intimidating" Wayfarer-like frame with transparent lenses This is the first mention of a modular setup, and we have to say it looks pretty awesome

Modular products are still not very popular; Moto Mods for smartphones like the Moto Z4 and Moto Z3 Play are the closest thing we have in the mobile world Like the somewhat successful interchangeable cell phone cases, the Apple Glass arms all serve a clear purpose or offer enhanced functionality

For example, one set of arms can work with fewer features but provide better battery life for users on the go When they return home, they can swap it out for a pair with a higher-resolution display for watching movies or playing games

Images from the patent show that Apple is considering taking a page from the Apple Watch playbook and using small magnets and indentations in the main frame to secure interchangeable arms even the best Apple Watch bands don't add extra features, but the interchangeable system is something to be appreciated

This approach could help solve the publicly known complication Apple faces of cramming a lot of next-generation technology into a head-mounted device that people actually want to wear; Bloomberg reported last week that due to internal company issues reported that the release of Apple Glass and the Apple VR headset has been delayed

Bloomberg also reported on another interchangeable Apple device that may be coming soon: the AirPods Studio The rumored pair of luxury over-ear headphones are believed to offer interchangeable cups with magnets made of different fabrics

We believed Apple was planning to unveil these headphones at WWDC 2020, but the hardware-free event suggested a September keynote full of products We could see the AirPods Studio debut alongside the iPhone 12 lineup and the Apple Watch 6

As for Apple Glass, some leaks suggest it could debut as early as next year, while others suggest it won't appear until closer to 2023 Before then, an Apple VR headset that challenges the Oculus Quest 2 may appear