Your AirPods Max might be getting a long-awaited free audio upgrade.
Also: The best AirPods: Expert-tested and reviewed
In an announcement this week, Apple said that its high-end AirPods are getting lossless audio and ultra-low latency audio via a software update next month. This marks the first upgrade to the device since it launched over four years ago (except for the port change from Lightning to USB-C).
The catch
Unfortunately, this only applies to models with a USB-C connector and not to the previous generation of AirPods Max with a Lightning connector (due to the way the Lightning cable converts the signal, it’s not totally lossless).
Also: 6 ways the new AirPods Max could have been so much better
“With the included USB-C cable,” Apple explained, “users can enjoy the highest-quality audio across music, movies, and games, while music creators can experience significant enhancements to songwriting, beat making, production, and mixing.”
Lossless audio is a form of audio compression. Most audio files lose data from the original source, but lossless audio is essentially audio straight from the production team. Bluetooth connections don’t support lossless audio, meaning you need to use a wired connection.
Apple’s $549 headphones will be the second device to support this feature, following the Beats Studio Pro.
Also: Apple reveals the secret to updating every AirPods model – and it’s easier than you think
Ultra-low latency simply means how fast data transfers to the headphones from the source — something that would appeal more to gamers and livestreamers, making content “reliably smooth and even more immersive.” Apple said this will be on par with native built-in speakers on Mac, iPad, and iPhone.
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New Apple accessory
In true Apple fashion, there’s a new accessory, too – a USB-C to 3.5mm audio cable–> for $39. You can use this to connect your AirPods Max to 3.5mm audio sources, like on an airplane. Any bidirectional USB-C to 3.5mm cable should work, though.
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Source: Robotics - zdnet.com
