It is quite rare for Apple to update its AirPods. The manufacturer has now rolled out a major update that should also bring innovations to older models. TECHBOOK has the details.
The AirPods are now available in different generations and designs. Especially with the current AirPods Pro 2, Apple has integrated many of its new functions that other models do not offer. This includes, for example, volume control using a swipe movement directly on the headphones. Apple would like to expand the range of functions even further with a major update. But the older generations are not left empty-handed either.
Apple is bringing these innovations to the AirPods via an update
The current AirPods update essentially accompanies the rollout of iOS 17, which has been available for download since September 18th. Thanks to the new firmware, the parallel connection of the AirPods to several Apple devices should work even more reliably in the future and switching between devices will be easier. However, the function is still only available to Apple devices because the AirPods do not support Bluetooth multipoint.
In addition to the optimizations for parallel connections, the update brings four major innovations to the AirPods Pro 2. These include a new microphone control that allows you to turn the microphone on and off during a call. This can be useful, among other things, if you need to talk to another person during a phone call without the other person on the phone noticing.
Apple provides microphone control not only for the AirPods Pro 2, but also for the first generation of its Pro series as well as for the third generation AirPods and the over-ear headphones AirPods Max. While you can access the small headphones by pressing the The headphone stem can be activated, the microphone on the over-ear headphones is controlled via the Digital Crown, the rotary control on the side.
Exclusive new features for AirPods Pro 2
The remaining three of the four new functions that Apple is rolling out via the AirPods update, however, are exclusively reserved for the second Pro generation (with Lightning and USB-C charging case). These are adaptive audio, personalized volume and conversation recognition.
Adaptive audio:
- After the update, the AirPods Pro 2 can analyze ambient noise and thereby recognize the optimal mode for music playback. This can be the transparency mode, in which the wearer can still hear external noises, or Active Noise Canceling (ANC), in which all external noises are filtered out.
Personalized volume:
- The AirPods Pro 2 use the possibility of machine learning. They learn the user’s listening habits and use this to create the perfectly adjusted, personal volume. With the update, Apple promises even better quality when playing music via the AirPods.
Conversation recognition:
- This is a completely new function that Apple is bringing to the AirPods Pro 2 with the update. If activated, the headphones recognize when the user is spoken to while listening to music. They then deactivate the ANC mode, turn on the transparency mode and reduce the volume so that the wearer can respond to the conversation without taking the buds out of their ears.
This is how the update comes to the AirPods
Apple has already started rolling out the AirPods update, but it may take some time for it to reach all devices. The download and installation are automatic. Users themselves neither receive a notification of an available update nor can they postpone it or install it themselves. To ensure installation occurs, AirPods should be charging and within Bluetooth range of a compatible Apple device.
Since Apple does not offer an Android app for its AirPods, the headphones can only be updated via a connection to other Apple devices. Users can book an appointment at the Apple Store to have the installation done there.