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Apple Releases New AirPods Pro 2 Beta Firmware With Support for iOS 18 Features

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Apple today released a new firmware update for the AirPods Pro 2, including both the Lightning and USB-C versions. The firmware has a build number of 7A5290a, up from 7A5266c, and it is available to developers at the current time. This is the fourth firmware update that Apple has released since announcing new AirPods Pro 2 features in June.

AirPods Pro Beta Firmware
There are multiple features that are coming to the AirPods Pro 2 as part of iOS 18, and these features are included in the firmware update.

With head gestures, users can control Siri on the AirPods Pro with a shake or a nod of the head. If you get a phone call, for example, you can shake your head no if you don't want to answer it, or nod to accept the call. ‌Siri‌ interactions can be used for responding to incoming messages, calls, and notifications.

Apple is adding Voice Isolation to the AirPods Pro to cut down on loud background sounds to make you easier to hear, and there is a new Personalized Spatial Audio feature specific to gaming. Game developers will be able to incorporate spatial audio into their games for a more immersive audio experience.

The new firmware is limited to developers at the current time, but it will be available to all iOS 18 users following the public launch of the new software.

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Top Rated Comments

MrMaxwell Avatar
MrMaxwell
23 months ago
Voice isolation is desperately needed - making a call on AirPods Pro is painful unless you are in a location with absolute silence. Hope to see some demos soon!
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
lindijones Avatar
lindijones
23 months ago
Also on 7A290a here and the sound signature has changed.
A little more flat. Less boomy.
And a little less harsh at higher volumes.

(Could be still less energy between 5kHz-7kHz for me and a little more in the upper treble, but ok. Any improvement is welcome.)
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
dubvulture Avatar
dubvulture
23 months ago

Why do my APP2 show firmware 7A266c instead of 7A5266c?
Mine went from 7A266c to 7A290a. No fives for me either.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
S
System603
23 months ago
I'm looking forward to the head gestures feature more than I would initially expect. After seeing the demo, I started noticing situations throughout the day (calls, workout start notifications, replies after initial query, ...) and it seems it will be quite useful.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
M
Microtard64
23 months ago

Apple today released a new firmware update for the AirPods Pro 2, including both the Lightning and USB-C versions. The firmware has a build number of 7A5290a, up from 7A5266c, and it is available to developers at the current time. This is the fourth firmware update that Apple has released since announcing new AirPods Pro 2 features in June.

MacRumors content image

There are multiple features that are coming to the AirPods Pro 2 as part of iOS 18, and these features are included in the firmware update.

With head gestures, users can control Siri on the AirPods Pro with a shake or a nod of the head. If you get a phone call, for example, you can shake your head no if you don't want to answer it, or nod to accept the call. Siri interactions can be used for responding to incoming messages, calls, and notifications.

Apple is adding Voice Isolation to the AirPods Pro to cut down on loud background sounds to make you easier to hear, and there is a new Personalized Spatial Audio feature specific to gaming. Game developers will be able to incorporate spatial audio into their games for a more immersive audio experience.

The new firmware is limited to developers at the current time, but it will be available to all iOS 18 users following the public launch of the new software.

Article Link: Apple Releases New AirPods Pro 2 Beta Firmware With Support for iOS 18 Features ('https://www.macrumors.com/2024/08/22/airpods-pro-2-beta-firmware-4/')
I have found that if I connect my AirPods Pro 2 (USBC) directly to my iPhone 15 Pro via a USBC cable, the firmware is updated within 10-12 minutes of establishing the connection. Your mileage and experience may vary.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Mother Nature Avatar
Mother Nature
23 months ago

I don't get what's new, voice isolation has been working for me on the airpods pro since it was introduced on iphone.......my voice gets cut more using the airpods with voice isolation enabled on the phone but what's really new?
That's voice isolation performed by iOS, the new voice isolation is kind of processed directly by the AirPods, I guess using algorithms processed by the H2 chip.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
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