iOS 26 Could Bring Sleep Detection, Camera Controls, and New Gestures to AirPods
The iOS 26 and macOS 26 updates could bring several new features to the AirPods, including sleep detection features and camera control options, reports 9to5Mac. The AirPods features would be introduced through firmware updates that would accompany Apple's new software.
Here's what's rumored:
- New head gestures - Apple could add new head gestures, such as a gesture for adjusting the volume of Conversation Awareness. Last year, Apple added a nod and a head shake to answer or decline calls.
- Auto-pause for sleep - The AirPods could pause audio when the wearer falls asleep, presumably using sleep data gleaned from the Apple Watch, as the AirPods have no sleep detection functionality.
- Camera trigger - Apple is planning to add trigger functionality to the AirPods, capturing an image on a linked iPhone with a press on the AirPods stem. It's possible this might work with a timer so the iPhone user isn't touching an ear when the photo is taken.
- Microphone enhancement - AirPods could get a "studio quality" microphone mode that's similar to the Audio Mix feature on iPhone that lets users choose from sound recording options like studio and cinematic.
- Better pairing - Apple is apparently working on a feature that would improve how AirPods pair with shared iPads for use in the classroom.
It is not clear if these rumored features would work across all AirPods models or if some features might be limited to the AirPods Pro. 9to5Mac warns that Apple could "choose to delay or tweak" the AirPods features before they are announced.
Apple is also expected to introduce a live translate feature for the AirPods, which would translate in-person conversations from one language to another.
Apple's WWDC 2025 keynote kicks off on Monday, June 9, and Apple plans to unveil iOS 26 and macOS 26. That's where we're likely to hear additional details about any new AirPods functionality that's coming alongside the software updates.
Popular Stories
Apple's next-generation iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are less than two months away, and there are plenty of rumors about the devices.
Below, we recap key changes rumored for the iPhone 17 Pro models.Aluminum frame: iPhone 17 Pro models are rumored to have an aluminum frame, whereas the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro models have a titanium frame, and the iPhone X through iPhone 14 Pro ...
Earlier this year, YouTuber Jon Prosser shared multiple videos showing off what he claimed to be re-created renderings of what was then presumed to be called iOS 19 and which was eventually unveiled by Apple as iOS 26 at WWDC in June.
In his first video back in January, Prosser showed off a Camera app redesign with a simpler set of buttons for moving between photo and video modes, and he...
The first iOS 26 public beta should arrive this week, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.
"All indications are that iOS 26 should go into the public beta phase this coming week," said Gurman, in his Power On newsletter today.
In a social media post last week, Gurman said that the iOS 26 public beta would likely be released on or around Wednesday, July 23.
Apple previously announced...
Apple is expected to hold its annual iPhone announcement event during the week of September 8, 2025, with September 9 or 10 emerging as the most likely dates. Like the iPhone 16 series, this year's lineup is expected to include four models – but with a twist. The Plus device is being replaced with an all-new ultra-thin model, while the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are set to...
The battery capacity of Apple's rumored iPhone 17 Air will be below the 3,000 mAh mark, according to a recent post from Instant Digital, an account with more than 1.4 million followers on Chinese social media platform Weibo.
Thanks to iOS 26's new Adaptive Power Mode, though, the account said that the iPhone 17 Air should achieve full-day battery life.
A previous rumor pegged the iPhone...
Apple recently announced that iPhone users will soon be able to watch videos right on the CarPlay screen in supported vehicles.
This is arguably the biggest new CarPlay feature coming with the iOS 26 update later this year, and yet Apple did not even mention it during its WWDC 2025 keynote last month. Instead, it was buried on Apple's developer website.
iPhone users will be able to...
We have just under two months to go until the debut of Apple's iPhone 17 models, and rumors have been ramping up in recent weeks. We went through everything we know so far, pulling out the most exciting rumors and highlighting some other changes that aren't going to be so great.
Top Tier
Ultra Thin iPhone 17 Air - The iPhone 17 Air is 2025's most exciting iPhone rumor, because it's the...
A few months ago, Apple announced the launch of CarPlay Ultra, the long-awaited next-generation version of CarPlay.
CarPlay Ultra is currently limited to newer Aston Martin vehicles in the U.S. and Canada. Fortunately, if you cannot afford a $250,000 luxury vehicle, the software system will eventually be available in more affordable vehicles.
Apple said "many" other automakers around...
We're less than two months away from the official unveiling of the iPhone 17 family, and it seems like things are starting to firm up about just which color options we might see across the four models in the lineup.
The iOS 26 public beta is also rapidly approaching, and we're continuing to hear details about Apple's plans for a foldable iPhone next year, so read on below for all the details ...
