Apple on Tuesday released firmware version 4A400 for the second-generation AirPods, AirPods Pro, and AirPods Max. On the AirPods Pro, the update enables a new Conversation Boost feature that Apple previewed at WWDC earlier this year.
Apple says Conversation Boost is designed to help people with mild hearing challenges stay more connected in conversations. The feature uses the AirPods Pro's beam-forming microphones to boost the volume of a person talking in front of you, making it easier to listen to a face-to-face conversation, and there is also an option to reduce ambient noise.
How to Turn On Conversation Boost
To turn on Conversation Boost, the AirPods Pro must be updated to firmware version 4A400. AirPods Pro firmware updates are installed over the air, but there is no manual way to force an update. In general, AirPods Pro connected to an iPhone or iPad should automatically update to the latest firmware version after a fairly short period of time. It may help to keep the AirPods Pro in their charging case and connected to a power source.
You can check your AirPods Pro firmware by following these steps:
Connect your AirPods Pro to your iOS device.
Open the Settings app.
Tap on General.
Tap on About.
Tap on AirPods.
Look at the number next to "Firmware Version."
Once the AirPods Pro are updated, Conversation Boost can be turned on by following these steps on an iPhone or iPad running iOS 15 or iPadOS 15:
Apple's iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max models will feature a number of significant display, thermal, and battery improvements, according to new late-stage rumors.
According to the Weibo leaker known as "Instant Digital," the iPhone 17 Pro models will feature displays with higher brightness, making it more suitable for use in direct sunlight for prolonged periods. The iPhone 16 Pro and...
Friday September 5, 2025 9:33 am PDT by Joe Rossignol
Apple is set to unveil the iPhone 17 series in just four days from now, and the biggest design mystery surrounding the Pro models has finally been solved.
In a report outlining his expectations for Apple's event next week, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said the iPhone 17 Pro models will have "a new cutout area on the bottom two-thirds of the phone that doubles as the wireless charging area."...
Thursday September 4, 2025 7:38 am PDT by Tim Hardwick
We're only days away from Apple's "Awe dropping" fall event scheduled to take place on Tuesday, September 9 – and along with the new iPhone 17 series, we're going to get a new version of the Apple Watch Ultra for the first time since 2023.
By the time the Ultra 3 is unveiled, it will have been two years since the previous model arrived. The intervening period has left plenty of room for...
Wednesday September 3, 2025 1:19 pm PDT by Joe Rossignol
iOS 26 introduces an Adaptive Power Mode on the iPhone, alongside the existing Low Power Mode.
Apple says Adaptive Power Mode can make "performance adjustments" when necessary to extend an iPhone's battery life, including slightly lowering the display brightness, allowing some activities to "take longer," and automatically turning on Low Power Mode when the iPhone's remaining battery life...
Friday September 5, 2025 4:57 am PDT by Tim Hardwick
Four days out from Apple's "Awe dropping" fall event on Tuesday, September 9, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has summarized his expectations for what the company will reveal next week.
Aside from a couple of new details and the inclusion of some more recent leaks from other sources, much of the following is a recap of Gurman's reports over the last several months:
iPhone 17
Large...
Tuesday September 2, 2025 1:50 pm PDT by Joe Rossignol
Just one week before Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 17 series, an analyst has shared new price estimates for the devices.
Here are J.P. Morgan analyst Samik Chatterjee's price estimates for the iPhone 17 series in the United States, according to 9to5Mac:
Model
Starting Price
Model
Starting Price
Change
iPhone 16
$799
iPhone 17
...
There was that article yesterday about banks being worried about Apple as they took over music players, GPS devices and cameras. Now hearing aid manufacturers are on notice!
I wonder what the price comparison between a hearing aid and AirPods is?
I wear hearing aids. I am completely deaf in my right ear and halfway deaf in my left. I wear a BiCros system that allows the hearing aid in my right ear to act like a receiver and transmits sounds that come from that side over to my left side, so I'm not always turning my head. I got this system a little over 2 years ago and it cost me nearly $3,800. I don't know what I would do without my hearing aids. I doubt the AirPods would be strong enough for what I would need, though. I love that the AirPods have this capability for those with mild hearing loss.
Spent 30 minutes last night trying to get my Pro's to upgrade. On the charger, off the charger, in the case out of the case, unpair-repair. Power cycled the phone, connected to my watch, connected to my Macbook, nothing.
There was that article yesterday about banks being worried about Apple as they took over music players, GPS devices and cameras. Now hearing aid manufacturers are on notice!
I wonder what the price comparison between a hearing aid and AirPods is?
Hearing aids are extremely expensive and not covered by most insurance (including Medicare). They are prohibitively expensive for many people.
Biggest design overhaul since iOS 7 with Liquid Glass, plus new Apple Intelligence features and improvements to Messages, Phone, Safari, Shortcuts, and more. Developer beta available now ahead of public beta in July.
