Apple designed it iOS 14 with many new features that improve the way AirPods work iPhone and iPad, bringing features such as 360-degree sound, automatic switching of devices, battery alerts and various headphone functions for those who need help with sounds and frequencies.
Let's take a closer look at all the new features that Apple has added to the "AirPods" in OSiOS 14.
360 degree sound (AirPods only Pro)
When the Apple announced the 360-degree audio capability during the Worldwide Developers Conference, it was a feature that came as a big surprise and sounded like something out of a science fiction movie.
With this feature, Apple uses dynamic tracking of the position of the headphones and iPhone to deliver a cinematic sound experience surround in AirPods Pro. Using directional audio filters and fine-tuning of the frequencies received by each ear, 360-degree audio can deliver sounds anywhere in the space for a immersive audio experience when watching TV shows and Movies.
This feature is able to take advantage of the gyroscope and accelerometer on AirPods Pro and iPhone to monitor the movement of the head and the position of the device, compare motion data and reposition the moving sound field to stay oriented on iPhone even when your head is moving.
Applying 360-degree audio to irAirPods Pro requires a firmware update that has not yet been released, so this is a feature we will not be able to try until iOS 14 becomes available to the public.
Automatic switching of devices
AirPods and AirPods Pro already have quick and easy device switching for devices to which you are connected to iCloud your account, but iOS 14, iPadOS 14, tvOS 14, watchOS 7 and MacOS Big Sur make it easy to switch devices.
With updates installed, AirPods and AirPods Pro automatically switch between your devices found in the same iCloud account. So if you listen to music on your iPhone but switch to video watching on your Mac, AirPods will connect seamlessly to your Mac.
Automatic device switching requires a iCloud account and works on iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Poppy and Apple Watch with the latest software versions installed. Automatic switching works with irAirPods Pro and second generation AirPods, as it is not compatible with their first version. It also works with Powerbeats, Powerbeats Pro and Beats Solo Pro.
Battery notifications
If your AirPods battery is low, iPhone or iPad will notify you with a notification so you can charge them before they leave.
Optimized charging
To maximize the longevity of AirPods, Apple has added a new battery-optimized charging feature to iOS 14. Optimized battery charging lets AirPods learn your daily charging routine and wait until after 80% to finish charging are needed.
Apple uses a similar battery optimization feature for iPhone and Mac to extend the overall battery life of devices. Avoiding continuous charging of a battery lithium ion while it is fully charged, can better maintain the health of the battery over time.
Accessibility features
Headphone accessibility features are a feature for the hearing impaired and they are able to amplify sounds and adjust frequencies so that music, movies, calls and sound are clearer and louder.
You can access the headset features in the Accessibility section of the Settings application by tapping AirPods > Audio accessibility settings> Headset features.
From there, you can access all available options, such as tuning for Balanced Tone, Vocal Range or Brightness, or adjusting the volume to soften them.
Protect your hearing
Apple has extended its hearing protection precautions to iOS 14 and WatchOS 7, and the iPhone will now send notifications to Apple Watch ακού when you listen to music very loudly, and can reduce the volume of your headphones to a safe level once you reach the recommended its limit World Health Organization.
Reduce Loud Sounds, a new feature in Sounds & Haptics, can be enabled to analyze headphone volume and reduce sounds that exceed a certain decibel level, which you can set yourself.
These features work with AirPods and AirPods Pro, along with other headphone options.
Volume monitoring in the control center
If you have added the "Listen" feature to the Control Center when listening to music with AirPods or other headphones, you can view a live volume meter to make sure the decibel level is safe.
Just swipe down from the Control Center and tap the ear icon to see the live indications.
AirPods Pro Motion API
Apple designed a Motion API for AirPods Pro, which developers can benefit from. The Motion API allows developers to access orientation, user acceleration and rotation rates, which is useful for applications and games fitness.
The developers can integrate the API into applications that AirPods Pro owners can download.
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