The new AirPods Pro with USB-C don't include any revolutionary updates in terms of hardware. However, the software options being released with them allow wearers to keep their earbuds in their ears for extended periods of time, whether they're traversing the city or talking to workmates.
This month, alongside the introduction of the new iPhones and Apple Watches, Apple is releasing the 2nd Generation AirPods Pro with USB-C. Although this model doesn't feature any major hardware changes, its software capabilities are significantly enhanced. These features, which include Adaptive Audio, Conversation Awareness and Personalized Volume, have been created to provide an experience that is more user-friendly. Now, AirPods Pro users will no longer need to remove their earbuds when conversing or navigating in loud areas - machine learning and artificial intelligence will allow the necessary sounds to come through while still providing noise-canceling. Although these improvements are not drastic, they are incredibly useful and are worth considering when purchasing new wireless headphones. Moreover, from a technological standpoint, these new AirPods are innovative - AI and cutting-edge technology are being utilized to create an augmented and immersive experience. As these headphones also fall under the ‘wearable’ category, Apple is making strides in the field of ‘spatial computing’. So, while the AirPods Pro do not get as much attention as the iconic iPhones, they are still a testament to Apple’s momentum in pushing the boundaries of computing.
The Adaptive technology is still far from perfect, but definitely marks a big improvement over the former AirPods Pro noise-cancellation setting. And it's available on the look-alike second-generation AirPods Pro too - all you have to do is download some necessary software updates on your iPhone and headphones. This Adaptive mode puts a combination of the city's noise and artificial quietness in the headphones. Apple claims this is a safety feature so that the users don't miss any honks or knocks in busy areas. You still feel like you're in your own world, but the outside world is not muffled anymore. You can activate this mode through the Settings app connected to the earbuds or by holding down the volume button in the Control Center and you'll know it's been turned on by a little chime.
Practicing with Adaptive Audio wasn't ideal, but it provides an upgrade from active noise cancelling, which can make one feel too isolated, and Apple's transparency mode, which can increase unwanted noise (such as when I could hear my AirPods case knocking against my car keys). If I had to go walk around urban areas, which I try to avoid for safety reasons, I would probably use Apple's Adaptive mode. Unfortunately, when in a BART station here in the Bay Area, where announcements come from a central speaker, I still could not discern the words well, especially if I was listening to music; therefore I had to manually decrease the volume or take out the headphones in order to comprehend the words, like which train was arriving at the station. In a dog park shielded from a nearby highway by a sound barrier, Adaptive Audio mode allowed more road noise than active-cancellation did, which was not ideal. Later, I noticed a person in the park discussing something intensely only after seeing it, as the Adaptive mode did not pick it up. Many people rely on noise-canceling headphones to escape from unwanted disturbances, but citizens living in active societies should also be cognizant of their surroundings regarding both safety and comfort.
Headphones are also becoming popular in the workplace, as those returning back to their offices hope to imitate home office privacy or signal to their co-workers that they are busy and can not converse. Here, Conversation Awareness would work favorably, as it permits the user to hold simple discussions all without taking out the headphones, as it will automatically decrease the audio level when it senses that someone is talking. When it works well, it is great, as I was able to talk with my wife as if I did not have expensive technology in my ears. When I resumed what I was doing before, the music went back to its prior volume. The only thing is, the Conversation Awareness will not kick in unless you talk first, so it is easy to miss the first words of a conversation, such as when a neighbor says hello or when the taco truck cashier says the order is ready. At the taco truck, I would have been better off without the headphones, as I felt slightly confused and a bit rude for not taking them out. Even though the main points were understood, like the total price, it was not as natural as speaking without headphones. Additionally, Conversation Awareness did not lower the audio after the order was placed. Consequently, my order was wrong because I was not paying full attention.
On the other hand, Personalized Volume uses machine learning to regulate the overall audio volume, taking into account your past settings and external noise. I only noticed its effect once, when it lowered the sound after I had increased it beyond the necessary level. All in all, these latest AirPods features may not be the deciding factor for people to buy the newest model; yet, it is clear that Apple's headphones are developing into something more intricate than mere speakers.
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