Apple Releases Beta Firmware Update for AirPods

Following today's keynote event, Apple has released a beta firmware update that is limited to developers, with the software adding some of the new features that were announced on stage.

airpods pro 2 purple
There's a new Adaptive Audio feature for the AirPods that combines Transparency and Active Noise Cancellation to dynamically match the conditions of the environment that you're in.

You can stay present in your environment while distracting noises are reduced, listening to music without missing what's going on around you. When someone is nearby, a conversation awareness option will lower the sound of the music and focus on voices, while also cutting out background noise.

The Adaptive Audio and conversation functions also work on calls to make it easier for you to hear the person you're speaking with while you're out and about.

Apple is also improving automatic switching across the Apple ecosystem, so you can swap between devices more quickly than before.

The new firmware is limited to developers at the current time.

Related Roundup: AirPods 3
Buyer's Guide: AirPods (Caution)
Related Forum: AirPods

Top Rated Comments

Brenster Avatar
16 weeks ago
As someone with autism who uses AirPods Pro (2nd gen) and Max to listen to music and to control/suppress environmental audio stimulation, the new AirPods adaptive audio feature was quite possibly my favourite announcement of the day. Sure, the new macs and Visio pro will get all of the column inches (and rightfully so), but adaptive audio and improved device switching will improve my day to day work & home life the most.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
dannynjoni Avatar
16 weeks ago

I curious to owners of the current APP2 users: do any of you mind charging via lightning or magsafe?
It's never been a problem for me, but I understand usb-c holdouts.
Mine haven't been plugged into lightning cable since purchasing them. I only ever charge wirelessly.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Domique623 Avatar
16 weeks ago

Do you think Adaptive Audio can be used always-on?
Yes for sure, its really convenient
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
iPode Avatar
16 weeks ago

I curious to owners of the current APP2 users: do any of you mind charging via lightning or magsafe?
It's never been a problem for me, but I understand usb-c holdouts.
I don't mind charging via lightning at all, the charging speed is good enough for me.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
cutlub Avatar
16 weeks ago
I curious to owners of the current APP2 users: do any of you mind charging via lightning or magsafe?
It's never been a problem for me, but I understand usb-c holdouts.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
rez07 Avatar
16 weeks ago
You need to connect to Xcode 15 beta first. https://9to5mac.com/2022/06/23/beta-airpods-firmware-install/
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iphone se 4 modified flag edges

iPhone SE 4 Details: Action Button, USB-C Port, Face ID, and More

Wednesday September 27, 2023 1:34 pm PDT by
Significant changes are expected to arrive with Apple's fourth-generation iPhone SE, in terms of both design and hardware, MacRumors has learned. The iPhone SE 4, known internally under the codename Ghost, is expected to receive a new design derived almost entirely from the base model iPhone 14. According to our sources, the iPhone SE 4 will use a modified version of the iPhone 14 chassis...
iOS 17

Apple Releases iOS 17.0.2 and iPadOS 17.0.2 for All iPhones and iPads

Tuesday September 26, 2023 12:47 pm PDT by
Apple today released iOS 17.0.2 and iPadOS 17.0.2 updates, with the software coming five days after the releases of iOS 17.0.1 and iPadOS 17.0.1. Today's iOS 17.0.2 and iPadOS 17.0.2 updates arrive as build 21A351 and can be downloaded on eligible iPhones and iPads over-the-air by going to Settings > General > Software Update. Note that iOS 17.0.2 was previously made available for iPhone...
iPhone 15 Pro Lineup Feature

Kuo: iPhone 15 Pro Overheating Issues Likely Due to Thermal Compromises, Not 3nm Node

Tuesday September 26, 2023 9:12 am PDT by
Complaints about heat issues with the iPhone 15 Pro models are not related to TSMC's 3-nanometer node that was used for the A17 Pro chip, according to well-respected Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. Kuo says that overheating could be caused by "compromises made in the thermal system design" that allowed Apple to cut down on the weight of the iPhone 15 Pro models. Kuo says that the reduced heat...
iOS 17

Everything New in iOS 17.1 Beta 1

Wednesday September 27, 2023 1:57 pm PDT by
Just a week after releasing iOS 17, Apple has seeded the first beta of iOS 17.1 to developers. iOS 17.1 adds some features that Apple promised were coming to iOS 17 in the future, plus it refines and improves some existing features. This guide covers everything new in the first iOS 17.1 beta. Apple Music Favorites You can favorite songs, albums, playlists, and artists in the iOS 17.1...
macos sonoma 4

Apple Releases macOS Sonoma With New Widget Features, Safari Updates, Screen Sharing Improvements and More

Tuesday September 26, 2023 10:01 am PDT by
Apple today released macOS 14 Sonoma, the newest version of the operating system that runs on the Mac. macOS Sonoma has been in beta testing for several months, and it is compatible with the 2019 and later iMac, the iMac Pro, the 2018 and later Mac mini, the 2018 and later MacBook Pro, the 2019 and later Mac Pro, and the Mac Studio. The ‌macOS Sonoma update can be downloaded for free on...