Tag: AirPods

  • Apple’s New Ideas: AirPods with cameras and a super-fast chip

    Apple’s New Ideas: AirPods with cameras and a super-fast chip

    Apple is working on some exciting plans for its products. According to recent news, the company is thinking about adding tiny cameras to AirPods. These cameras could help the earbuds do cool things, like figuring out where you are or letting you control them with hand movements.

    It’s still early, and Apple hasn’t decided if they’ll make it happen, but it shows they’re dreaming big for the future of AirPods. Meanwhile, a well-known tech expert, Ming-Chi Kuo, says Apple is also building a powerful new chip called the A20. This chip uses a super-small 2-nanometer design, which means it’s faster and saves more battery than older chips.

    It might show up in iPhones or other gadgets by 2027. Apple wants to keep its devices ahead of the game, and this chip could be a big step forward. Both ideas—the camera AirPods and the A20 chip—prove Apple is always looking for ways to make its tech smarter and stronger. Fans are already buzzing about what’s next!

    Source/Via

  • Apple pushes to bring AirPods hearing help to Canada

    Apple pushes to bring AirPods hearing help to Canada

    Even though Health Canada gave the green light for AirPods hearing aid and hearing test tools at the national level in December, Canadians can’t use them yet. Stories from CTV News and the Toronto Star this month explain that each province has its own rules holding things up.

    Take Ontario, Canada’s biggest province, for example. There, you need a doctor or hearing specialist to sign off on hearing aids. That’s one reason the features haven’t arrived. The bright side? Apple shared with the Toronto Star that it’s teaming up with Canadian provinces to get the okay to offer these AirPods tools without a prescription. The company wants to roll them out fast but hasn’t said exactly when they’ll land.

    With the hearing aid tool, AirPods Pro 2 can boost nearby sounds. Apple says it’s built for grown-ups who notice mild to moderate trouble hearing—no extra charge to turn it on. Then there’s the quick five-minute hearing test. It checks how well adults hear different sound pitches. Once it’s done, you get a simple breakdown of any hearing loss and tips on what to do next.

    These two options first popped up in the U.S. and a few other places in late October. They’re still spreading to more spots around the world. Canada does have one AirPods hearing feature already: hearing protection. It’s ready to go for users there. All three tools—hearing aid, test, and protection—work only with AirPods Pro 2. Apple’s clearly working hard to get the full set to Canada soon. For now, folks are waiting to see when the provinces give the thumbs-up.

  • How to easily update your AirPods to the latest version

    How to easily update your AirPods to the latest version

    Apple regularly refreshes its AirPods with new software updates, which usually happen quietly on their own. For a long time, how this worked was unclear, but now Apple shares simple steps to help you update your AirPods yourself if needed.

    Simple Steps to Update Your AirPods or AirPods Pro

    Apple provides clear guidance on its support page for updating AirPods. Here’s how to do it in six easy steps:

    • Keep your AirPods close to your iPhone, iPad, or Mac, and make sure the device is on Wi-Fi.
    • Place your AirPods in their case and shut the lid.
    • Connect the charging cable to the case, then plug it into a USB charger or port.
    • Leave the lid closed and wait at least 30 minutes for the update to finish.
    • Open the case lid to link your AirPods back to your device.
    • Check the software version to confirm the update.

    If it doesn’t work, Apple suggests resetting your AirPods and trying again.

    Updating AirPods Max Made Easy

    For AirPods Max owners, the process is just as simple with these five steps:

    • Ensure your AirPods Max are near your iPhone, iPad, or Mac, connected to Wi-Fi.
    • Attach the charging cable to the bottom-right earpiece, then plug it into a USB charger or port.
    • Wait at least 30 minutes for the update to complete.
    • Reconnect your AirPods Max to your device.
    • Check the software version to see if it updated.

    What Happens Behind the Scenes?

    Normally, these updates happen automatically without you noticing. But if you want to take control and do it yourself, these steps are the way to go. With this know-how, you’ll be all set when the next AirPods update rolls out!

  • AirPods to offer real-time language translation by late 2025

    AirPods to offer real-time language translation by late 2025

    Apple is developing an exciting feature for AirPods that will make chatting across languages much easier, according to Bloomberg. This new tool, tied to iOS 19, will roll out with an AirPods software update later this year. With this update, AirPods will help people who speak different languages talk smoothly. It’ll work alongside the iPhone’s Translate app. Imagine an English speaker wearing AirPods chatting with someone speaking Spanish.

    The iPhone will pick up the Spanish words, turn them into English, and send them to the AirPods wearer. Then, when the English speaker replies, the iPhone will translate their words into Spanish and say them out loud. The Translate app on iPhones already does this, but adding it to AirPods will make the whole process quicker and simpler.

    Apple also plans to upgrade the Translate app in iOS 19, though we don’t know the details yet. While new AirPods Pro 3 earbuds are coming in 2025, it seems this translation feature might work on older AirPods models, too. In recent years, Apple has been pairing AirPods updates with iOS releases.

    For example, with iOS 18, they added hearing health tools. These let AirPods check for hearing problems and even act as a hearing aid if needed. This shows how Apple keeps making AirPods more helpful with each iOS update. This translation feature could be a game-changer for travelers, friends, or anyone connecting across languages. By late 2025, AirPods might just break down language barriers like never before!

  • AirPods Pro 3 coming soon: What to expect

    AirPods Pro 3 coming soon: What to expect

    Apple’s AirPods Pro 2 hit the market over two years ago and still lead the pack in wireless earbuds. But with the AirPods Pro 3 set to drop in 2025, many wonder if waiting for the next version is the smart move. The AirPods Pro 2 shine with great sound and noise-blocking skills for their tiny size. Apple keeps them fresh with updates, too.

    When iOS 17 came out in 2023, they got cool tricks like Adaptive Audio, mute buttons, and quick device switching. Then, iOS 18, launched last year, added head-shake controls for Siri, better voice clarity by cutting background noise, and a gaming-focused sound feature. Late last year, iOS 18.1 and 18.2 brought a big win: hearing aid support for people with mild to moderate hearing loss, approved by the FDA.

    What’s New for AirPods Pro 3 in 2025?

    The AirPods Pro 3 will likely keep all these goodies and add more. Rumors point to a new look for the earbuds and their case—different from the style we’ve seen since the first AirPods Pro. Inside, Apple might boost the sound with a faster chip, a trend with every new model. Word is they’ll also improve noise cancellation, making it even better than the AirPods Pro 2.

    Health features are a big deal too. Reports say Apple’s working on heart rate tracking, like what’s in the Powerbeats Pro 2, which syncs with gym gear to show your pulse on your iPhone. The AirPods Pro 3 could do this too, maybe even while playing tunes. There’s talk of a body temperature sensor in the ear canal, but it might not be ready for 2025.

    Looking ahead, some predict cameras in AirPods by 2026 for better sound with Apple’s Vision Pro headset or future AI tricks. That’s probably not happening this year, though.

    Release Clues

    In February, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman said the AirPods Pro 3 are coming in 2025, still months off. One tipster guessed May or June, but their last “soon” prediction flopped, so take it lightly.

    Should You Wait?

    With the AirPods Pro 3 possibly arriving by late 2025, it’s a tough call. The new AirPods 4 offer some Pro perks for $179, but if you want the latest tech—like better hearing aid features—and don’t mind waiting, the AirPods Pro 3 at $249 could be your pick. For now, they sound like the top choice for Apple fans craving next-level earbuds.

  • Apple’s new AirPods with cameras: What’s Coming?

    Apple’s new AirPods with cameras: What’s Coming?

    Apple is busy working on AirPods that come with cameras, according to Mark Gurman from Bloomberg. Don’t expect to see this in the AirPods Pro 3, which should launch this year. Instead, it’s a plan. Apple wants these earbuds to get smarter about the world around you—here’s why.

    Seeing the World with AirPods

    With the iPhone 16, Apple added a Camera Control button. It’s handy for snapping pictures or tweaking camera options, but it also brought something called Visual Intelligence. This feature helps you figure out what’s around you, like adding a flyer’s event to your calendar or asking Google or ChatGPT about something confusing.

    Gurman says Apple wants AirPods to do similar things. Imagine tiny cameras on your earbuds using artificial intelligence to “see” your surroundings and tell you about them. It’s like having smart glasses but without the glasses! You can ask Siri what’s nearby without even touching your iPhone.

    Better Sound Experience

    Ming-Chi Kuo, a supply chain expert, thinks these cameras could team up with other Apple gadgets, like the Vision Pro headset. They might improve how you hear sounds around you, especially with spatial audio. For example, if you’re watching a video with Vision Pro and turn your head, the sound could shift to match where you’re looking, making it feel more real. Kuo even suggests the cameras might let you control the AirPods with hand gestures in the air—pretty cool, though it sounds a bit unusual!

    When Can We Get Them?

    Bloomberg reports that these camera-equipped AirPods won’t arrive until at least 2027, possibly with the AirPods Pro 4. Apple might also launch smart glasses around then, similar to Meta’s Ray-Bans. The goal? To make use of the Visual Intelligence tech from Vision Pro, which scans your surroundings and gives helpful info.

    In short, Apple’s cooking up something exciting with AirPods. Cameras could make them smarter and more connected to your world, blending sound and sight in fresh ways. Stay tuned for more as 2027 gets closer!

  • Apple launches new study on health with iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods

    Apple launches new study on health with iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods

    Apple has just started a new health study that you can join using the Apple Research app. If you’re in the U.S. and old enough, you can sign up by agreeing to the study’s terms.

    The Apple Health Study

    This study wants to see how gadgets like the iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods can help improve our physical and mental health, as well as our overall well-being. It’s going to look at how different parts of health are connected. For example, it will check if your mental state affects your heart rate or how your sleep might change how much you exercise.

    This project is the biggest health study Apple has done so far. It will check how tech affects lots of health areas like how active we are, aging, heart health, blood flow, thinking, hearing, women’s health, mental health, how our body uses food, how we move, brain health, breathing, and sleep.

    Building on Past Studies

    This new study follows on from other Apple studies like the one on women’s health, hearing, and heart and movement. Apple is working with Brigham and Women’s Hospital, which is connected to Harvard Medical School, to run this study. The Apple Research app, where you can join the study, is available on the App Store for iPhone and Apple Watch. The app got an update today to include this new health study.

    Source

  • What’s next for Apple’s AirPods after the Powerbeats Pro 2?

    What’s next for Apple’s AirPods after the Powerbeats Pro 2?

    Apple and Beats recently introduced the eagerly awaited Powerbeats Pro 2 wireless earbuds. This new model brings features not yet seen in Apple’s AirPods. But what does this mean for the future of AirPods?

    Rumors About Upcoming AirPods

    One standout feature of the Powerbeats Pro 2 is its heart rate sensor. This marks the first time Apple has included such a health-focused tool in a product other than the Apple Watch. It suggests that future devices might also focus more on health monitoring. Although Powerbeats are designed for workouts, it’s notable that Apple chose to debut this technology in a Beats product.

    What About AirPods?

    Will AirPods follow suit with a heart rate sensor? It seems likely, as various sources confirm Apple is indeed developing AirPods with health sensors. The next big update, expected in the AirPods Pro 3, will likely include this sensor. Although we don’t have a specific release date, considering the AirPods Pro 2 came out in 2022, we might see the next version soon, perhaps even this year.

    Mark Gurman from Bloomberg mentioned last year that Apple is looking into sensors that could measure body temperature through the ear canal. There’s also talk about integrating camera sensors into AirPods, but these innovations won’t make it into the AirPods Pro 3.

    AirPods Pro 3 Expectations

    For the AirPods Pro 3, expect a new design, though details are scarce. The basic AirPods model got a recent update with a fresh look and Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), so don’t expect another update soon. As for the AirPods Max, after last year’s update to include USB-C, there are no significant updates planned shortly.

    This glimpse into Apple’s strategy shows a clear direction toward enhancing personal health monitoring through their audio products, promising exciting developments for AirPods users.

  • Apple Might Add Cameras to AirPods: What does this mean for us?

    Apple Might Add Cameras to AirPods: What does this mean for us?

    Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman has revealed that Apple is working on a new type of AirPods that include cameras. Don’t expect to see this in the upcoming AirPods Pro 3, but the tech is definitely on the way. The big question is, what’s the purpose?

    Exploring Visual Intelligence

    With the iPhone 16, Apple introduced a feature called Camera Control, which not only helps in taking photos but also brings something called Visual Intelligence. This allows your phone to understand and interact with the world around you. For example, you could scan an event poster and add the details to your calendar or use AI to learn about something new.

    Apple seems to want to extend this capability to AirPods. Imagine being able to ask Siri about your surroundings without even touching your phone. This move is part of Apple’s strategy to stay competitive in the AI technology race.

    Enhancing Audio Experience

    Ming Chi Kuo, a known tech analyst, suggests these cameras could also improve how we experience spatial audio, especially when used with devices like the Apple Vision Pro. If you’re watching a video and turn your head, the audio could shift to match your new perspective, making the experience more immersive.

    There’s also a wild card idea from Kuo about “in-air gesture control” for AirPods, which sounds like something out of a sci-fi movie.

    When Will We See Them?

    According to Gurman, don’t hold your breath for these camera-equipped AirPods until at least 2027, possibly with the AirPods Pro 4. Apple’s vision includes not just these AirPods but also smart glasses, aiming to make use of the costly technology developed for the Vision Pro. This would help in understanding and interacting with the environment around the user.

    In summary, Apple’s exploration into adding cameras to AirPods might revolutionize how we interact with our devices, enhancing both utility and entertainment through smarter, more contextual technology.

  • How to easily update your AirPods and AirPods Max

    How to easily update your AirPods and AirPods Max

    Apple regularly updates the software inside your AirPods, making them work better. Usually, these updates happen automatically, but now, Apple has shown us how to start the update ourselves if we want to. Here’s how you can do it with easy steps:

    Updating AirPods and AirPods Pro

    • Ensure your AirPods are close to your iPhone, iPad, or Mac – Make sure they can connect through Bluetooth and that your device is connected to Wi-Fi.
    • Place your AirPods in their case and close it – This helps start the update process.
    • Connect the charger – Plug the charger into the case and then into a power source.
    • Wait with the case closed – Keep the lid shut for at least 30 minutes to give the update time to install.
    • Open the case – After waiting, open the lid to reconnect your AirPods to your device.
    • Check the firmware version – See if the update was successful.

    If it doesn’t update, Apple suggests resetting your AirPods and trying again.

    Updating AirPods Max

    • Make sure your AirPods Max are near your device – It should be within Bluetooth range, and your device should be on Wi-Fi.
    • Charge them – Plug the charger into the right earphone of your AirPods Max.
    • Give it time – Let them charge and update for at least 30 minutes.
    • Reconnect – After updating, connect them back to your device.
    • Check the version – Verify if the firmware has been updated.

    The way firmware updates work hasn’t changed much; they’ll still happen automatically for most people. But now, if you’re eager to get the latest features or fixes, you can manually update your AirPods or AirPods Max whenever Apple releases new software. This gives you a bit more control over your gadgets.