Second AirPods Pro Firmware Beta Adds Conversation Boost

Wednesday August 4, 2021 12:58 pm PDT by Juli Clover

Apple in July began providing developers with access to a beta version of the AirPods Pro firmware to test new features ahead of their release. Last Friday, Apple released a second version of the AirPods Pro firmware (4A362b), but it went under the radar until today when it was shared on Reddit.

AirPods Pro Beta Firmware
According to Apple's developer website, the second AirPods Pro firmware update adds support for Conversation Boost, a feature that was missing from the first beta.

Conversation Boost is an iOS 15 feature that uses the beamforming microphones in the AirPods Pro to boost the volume level of conversations, which is ideal for those with mild to moderate hearing challenges.

The initial AirPods Pro firmware beta added support for FaceTime Spatial Audio and Ambient Noise Reduction, two other AirPods Pro features that are coming in the iOS 15 update.

Only registered developers are able to install the AirPods Pro firmware, and the installation process is rather complicated and requires Xcode. We have a walkthrough on installing the profile for the beta, but as with all over-the-air firmware updates, it takes some time for new software to be seeded to users.

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Top Rated Comments

Apple Knowledge Navigator

69 months ago

I can barely hear my family talk* let alone the TV, so this will come in handy

*this actually comes in handy sometimes and provides excellent excuses

Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Mousse

69 months ago

If it works with TV dialogues as well, then I'm interested. No more turn up the volume to hear what the actors are saying only to be deafen by the F/X sound. I got tired of having to volume up volume down, so I just turn the volume down to where the F/X isn't unbearable and read the captioning.

Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)

jmgregory1

69 months ago

I'm an old fart and know my hearing is not what it once was. I've also developed some tinnitus. I'm fine with normal conversations or watching TV in reasonably quiet environments. I notice it most in environments where there are a lot of competing sounds, like sitting with a group of folks in a noisy restaurant. I'll be very interested to try see how well this works.

I’m right there with you on the challenged hearing, tinnitus and old fart status. I’m not sure that I’ll remember to bring my APP’s with me when my wife and I go out the next time, but I’ll give it a shot to see if it helps. Of course more people will be talking about why you’re wearing APP’s while you’re socializing.

I chalk up my hearing loss, along with my several broken molars, to my college days of living with a rock band and opening up too many bottles of beer with my teeth. We used the band’s loud speakers as part of our stereo, which seemed like a good idea back then. We even were scientific about how loud it was, measuring the fact that we could hear the stereo 2 miles from the apartment when the windows were open. We were such idiots…

So all you kids (16-25 year olds) on here, don’t do these stupid things, because you will grow old and have hearing problems and teeth problems if you are dumb enough to open beer bottles with them.

Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)

augustrushrox

69 months ago

The update process for AirPods has somehow always been just so randomly activated and incongruous with most other updateable Apple products. Even the Developer update process for AirPods is way more tedious than it needs to be. Apple really should just add a way to update AirPods from within the iOS Settings app.

Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)

gluckett

69 months ago

The update process for AirPods has somehow always been just so randomly activated and incongruous with most other updateable Apple products. Even the Developer update process for AirPods is way more tedious than it needs to be. Apple really should just add a way to update AirPods from within the iOS Settings app.

While it's not as simple as just telling it to update the firmware, Apple support finally gave me a set of steps that has worked every time for me so far.

- Listen to music or other audio for at least 30 seconds
- Put them back in the case and close the lid
- Connect the case to the charger
- Wait 30 minutes - do not open the case during this time, otherwise it starts all over again

Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)

4jasontv

69 months ago

Too bad Apple insists on only making them bright white. More subtle options would be way better. But of course Apple mostly cares about its brand, not always user needs.

I don’t understand this thinking. They are iconic headphones not hearing aids. The fact that they invested time and money to include these features suggests they do care about user needs. Not just user needs but niche user needs.

Besides, these are more invisible than traditional hearing aids because most people would see them and think they are just headphones.

I’m not against other colors, but I can’t see Apple ever releasing another beige product. That said, they make vinyl wraps for AirPods that look good. I’m sure someone makes skin color wraps.

Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)

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Second AirPods Pro Firmware Beta Adds Conversation Boost

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