Apple’s annual developer conference, WWDC, kicks off Monday morning. This year, the company is expected to announce a rebrand of its operating system naming scheme and design, reveal new Apple Intelligence features, showcase some CarPlay capabilities, and much more.
Also: How to watch Apple WWDC 2025 and what to expect next week
New hardware typically isn’t on the menu during WWDC, and analysts and industry insiders assert that an AirPods Pro 3 appearance may not happen until late 2025 or early 2026. But Apple often rolls out new AirPods features alongside its iOS updates, and users have a handful of them to look forward to, as recently reported by 9to5Mac.
1. Camera control
The outlet suggests that Apple will implement camera controls into AirPods. This feature will allow users to control the camera shutter on their iPhone or iPad by pressing their AirPods stem. Although this feature would be new to AirPods, it is currently available with Apple’s wired EarPods.
Also: Apple may rebrand to iOS 26 with the upcoming version – here’s why that’s a big deal
For example, users can plug their EarPods into their iPhone, open the Camera app, and press the headphones’ center button to trigger the shutter. If Apple does this right, pressing the touchpad of the wireless AirPods should prompt a countdown timer, allowing users to readjust themselves for the picture.
2. More head gestures
Last year, Apple introduced Head Gestures for AirPods Pro 2, allowing users to nod or shake their head to accept or decline incoming calls when wearing the earbuds. This year, Apple is reportedly expanding the gestures lineup, allowing users to have more hands-free control of their AirPods without using their voice.
Also: Could WWDC be Apple’s AI turning point? Here’s what analysts are predicting
According to 9to5Mac, Apple is planning to expand Head Gestures to work in tandem with Conversation Awareness, perhaps extending the time when the AirPods switch from transparency mode back to active noise cancelling. Maybe a subtle nod, as if you agree with what a speaker is saying, will be enough to keep the adjusted audio going. We’ll have to wait and see.
3. Sleep sensors
If you often travel with your AirPods, it’s not unlikely that you’ve turned on a podcast, rested your head back, and fallen asleep. A new sleep auto-pause feature will prompt your AirPods to pause your audio once they sense you’ve dozed off.
Also: I’ve used my AirPods Pro 2 since they first launched. Here’s my buying advice for 2025
The folks at 9to5Mac say it’s unclear if this feature will work with sensors already built into AirPods or if it will work alongside the Apple Watch. Currently, the Apple Watch can sense when you’ve fallen asleep and could communicate with AirPods that it’s time to pause the music.
Which AirPods are getting new features?
Last year, Apple disclosed that the new Conversation Awareness and Head Gestures features for AirPods Pro 2 used machine learning running on Apple’s advanced H2 audio chip. Last fall, Apple announced two AirPods 4 models, both of which include the H2 chip. Therefore, it’s likely that new features will be available on all AirPods that use the H2 chip.
Also: How Apple plans to train its AI on your data without sacrificing your privacy
The AirPods Max use Apple’s H1 audio chip, so they won’t receive advanced features that require the computing power of the H2.
How do I update my AirPods?
AirPods updates are folded into iOS updates on your iPhone. Once you update your phone to the newest iOS package, any new AirPods features within it should become available, provided your iPhone is compatible with the latest iOS version and your AirPods are compatible with those features.
When are new AirPods coming?
It’s unlikely that Apple will announce new AirPods during this year’s WWDC. Last fall, Bloomberg analyst Mark Gurman disclosed that Apple has no “meaningful” plans to release the AirPods Max 2 soon.
Rumors that AirPods Pro 3 were the “One More Thing” announcement during WWDC were quickly dispelled. Industry insiders now say consumers can expect the AirPods Pro 3 in late 2025 or early 2026.
Also: 3 Apple Intelligence features that would convince me to ditch Gemini and ChatGPT
According to Bloomberg’s Gurman, Apple is working on a complete overhaul of AirPods Pro, including redesigned buds and a charging case, an upgraded audio processor, in-ear temperature detection, and in-ear heart rate monitoring.
Get the morning’s top stories in your inbox each day with our Tech Today newsletter.
Show more
Source: Robotics - zdnet.com
