iOS 18 Enhances AirPods Pro with Six New Features

Apple's upcoming iOS 18 update promises to bring significant enhancements to the AirPods Pro 2, pushing the boundaries of what users can expect from their wireless earbuds. The new features will require users to update to iOS 18, iPadOS 18, or macOS Sequoia, along with a firmware update that coincides with the release of the software this fall.

Innovative Head Gestures

One of the standout features is the introduction of head gestures. This new control mechanism allows users to interact with Siri and manage calls through simple head movements. Nodding up and down can accept a call, while shaking the head side-to-side will decline it. This functionality also extends to responding to Siri notifications and messages, providing a hands-free interaction experience.

Enhanced Voice Isolation

Voice Isolation is another key addition, designed to improve call clarity by reducing background noise. Utilizing machine learning, the AirPods Pro can filter out ambient sounds such as wind, traffic, and conversations, allowing the user's voice to come through more clearly. This feature will be available on both the original AirPods Pro and the AirPods Pro 2.

Improved Adaptive Audio Controls

The update to Adaptive Noise Control will offer users more granular control over the Active Noise Cancellation feature. This means users can fine-tune how much ambient sound they want to let in, making it more customizable to different environments.

Personalized Spatial Audio for Gaming

Previously available for movies, TV shows, and music, Personalized Spatial Audio will now extend to gaming. This feature uses the TrueDepth camera on the iPhone to create a custom audio profile tailored to the user's unique ear shape. Game developers can leverage this to offer a more immersive audio experience in their games. Personalized Spatial Audio for gaming will also be available on AirPods Max and the third-generation AirPods.

Enhanced Voice Quality in Games

Gamers will benefit from improved voice quality during in-game chat and streaming. The AirPods Pro 2 will support dynamic head tracking and 16-bit 48kHz audio, aiming to provide a more seamless and high-quality gaming experience.

Lower Latency

iOS 18 will also bring significant improvements in latency, enhancing the responsiveness of the AirPods Pro for mobile gaming. Users can expect minimal delay between their actions and the corresponding audio, making for a more engaging gaming session.

Availability Across Other AirPods Models

While many of these features are exclusive to the latest AirPods Pro models, some, like Personalized Spatial Audio for gaming, will be available on other AirPods models, including the AirPods Max and the third-generation AirPods. However, head gestures and Voice Isolation will remain exclusive to the AirPods Pro 2.