7 Amazing Features Coming to AirPods
Apple recently announced iOS 17, and we couldn't be more excited. The new features that are coming to your iPhone will definitely take it to the next level.
With that said, the iPhone isn't the only one that's getting massive improvements and completely new features. As it turns out, Apple is also doing some cool things with the AirPods.
There are a lot of new features to be excited about, and while most of the coolest features will only be available on the second-generation AirPods Pro, there are still other improvements for every AirPods user to enjoy.
Whether you want to mute yourself in a flash or let your AirPods take care of your hearing health for you, these new AirPods features will surely change the game. Read on for 7 exciting new things iOS 17 will bring to your AirPods.
Faster Switching Between Your Apple Devices
This isn't a new feature, but it's still one worth mentioning since it's getting better. With iOS 17, iPadOS 17, and macOS Sonoma, Apple is improving the AirPods' ability to switch between your devices.
While Apple didn't specify what's really changing, you're bound to notice how much quicker your AirPods switch between your devices when the update drops.
You Won't Need to Say "Hey Siri" Anymore
It took Apple long enough to figure out we should be able to call Siri without saying "Hey" first, but better late than never.
With the iOS 17 update, you'll be able to call for Siri just by saying "Siri." Not only that, but this feature will also work on your AirPods, too.
Keep in mind, though, that this feature won't be available on the AirPods Max; it's exclusive to Apple's second-generation AirPods Pro. That's likely due to the less powerful H1 chip in older AirPods, but it's a sad day for Max users nonetheless.
Dark Mode Is Coming to AirPods Pairing
Granted, this isn't the biggest change you'll expect to see in iOS 17, but you may have noticed that when you pair your AirPods to your iPhone, the pop-up message with your AirPods always comes out in white, even if you're using Dark mode.
Well, when the new updates drop, that won't be a thing anymore. With the update, the pop-up message will match your preferences. So if your iPhone is using Dark Mode, you'll see a dark pop-up message too. Using Light Mode will feature the same one we've already become accustomed to.
You'll Be Able to Mute Yourself in a Flash
When you're taking a call with your iPhone, and there's a sudden noise around you, the first thing you'll probably want to do is protect the caller's ears. Unfortunately, that's not something you can do right now.
The good news is that this will soon change. When iOS 17 is available, you'll be able to instantly mute or unmute yourself when you're on a call just by pressing the stem of your AirPods.
While it might not seem like a lot, this will save you a lot of time and uncomfortable moments during important calls.
Adaptive Audio Is Coming to the AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)
Apple revealed a new way to intelligently control the audio that comes out of your AirPods. The company is calling this Adaptive Noise Control, and it "dynamically blends Transparency and Active Noise Cancellation" to basically adjust the audio levels based on whatever you're listening to and the external sounds around you.
That way, if you go to a loud environment, the audio in your AirPods should sound louder. Likewise, going to a more quiet place will make Adaptive Audio lower the volume on your AirPods.
Unfortunately, for a lot of users, this feature will be available only on the second-generation AirPods due to the extra power of the H2 chip that's only found in those right now.
Personalized Volume
As part of the new Adaptive Audio, Apple is also introducing a feature called Personalized Volume. This uses machine learning to figure out your sound preferences.
Once it learns more about you, Personalized Volume will make sure to automatically adjust the volume on your AirPods to give you the best listening experience possible.
That doesn't mean that it'll always blast your ears with loud sounds if that's how you like it since Apple is also trying to take care of your hearing health by automatically lowering the volume once your iPhone thinks you've been exposed to too many loud sounds.
Still, this feature will be a cool way to experience sound without having to touch your AirPods. Unfortunately, just like with many other upcoming features, Personalized Volume will also be an AirPods Pro 2 exclusive feature.
Conversation Awareness
This feature is by far one of the coolest that's coming with the next iOS 17 update. Have you ever been in a situation where someone starts talking to you, and you need to take out your AirPods to listen to them?
Well, that won't be a problem once the next update hits, as Apple is introducing a handy feature called Conversation Awareness.
When you use this feature, your AirPods will know when you're talking to someone. If they detect a conversation, they will automatically lower the volume on your AirPods and enable Transparency Mode.
Not only that, but your AirPods will also reduce all the background noise around you and will automatically try to make the voices that are in front of you a little louder. That way, you won't have to take out your AirPods, and you might even listen to the other person a little bit better.
Unfortunately, and you probably know what we're about to say, Conversation Awareness will only be available on the second-generation AirPods Pro.