During WWDC 2023, Apple took the opportunity to present new features for all its devices, including its star headphones, the AirPods. Among them, the arrival of Adaptive Audio has been confirmed. This feature that leverages machine learning to filter intelligently the sounds in your environment. But it is not the only interesting function.
With this new feature, AirPods now can detect the amount of sounds around you and configure active noise cancellation to suit the situation. They have also introduced a feature they have called Conversation Detection. This allows you to automatically detect when someone is speaking to you directly. This way, the headphones will know when to lower the volume of the music so that you can hear them.
Thus, Apple eliminates the need to remove your headphones or turn off active noise cancellation to be able to hear your surroundings. All, of course, supported by algorithms that enrich the experience and make it a more intelligent, automated process with less need for human interference.
New features coming to AirPods with their next firmware update
During WWDC 2023, Apple confirms that this Adaptive Audio feature will arrive as an option in addition to ambient sound mode and active noise cancellation. With this feature, your AirPods will quickly detect which sounds may be relevant to you and they will let them pass while you move about in your day to day.
For example, if you are walking around your neighborhood, your AirPods can automatically block the sound of cars, machinery and more. Nevertheless, will allow you to hear your neighbor’s greeting when you meet him on your morning walks.
On the other hand, the Conversation Detection function will allow you to better hear the people around you. To do this, AirPods rely on two important processes, lowering the volume of your music and use machine learning to highlight speaker voices.
The beta version of this new firmware for AirPods is now available to developers who want to try it. If you are one of them, you just have to visit the official website of the Apple Developer Program.
Apple improves the transition of audio between devices
In addition to the functions described above, Apple has also confirmed that it is working on improve audio transition between devices when using AirPods.
While the company’s ecosystem is its strongest point, the audio transition process when using multiple Apple devices at the same time can confuse your AirPods. For this reason, Apple has confirmed that they are working to solve all the problems in this section.
Finally, the first and second generation AirPods Pro, as well as the AirPods 3 and Max, they can activate or deactivate their microphones with a touch. This is part of an update to improve quality of life and privacy for users of these devices.