Quick Summary
Code has been found in the latest AirPods Pro firmware beta that suggests a new ANC mode is coming.
You will be able to customise the strength of noise cancellation if the code ends up in the final release.
Apple AirPods Pro and AirPods Pro 2 are to get a new, useful feature this autumn, according to code found in the latest firmware.
The latest beta build includes includes a mode for owners to manually adjust the strength of noise cancellation on Apple's best ANC earbuds.
AirPods Pro models already offer an adaptive audio mode, which allows them to automatically adjust noise cancellation based on your surroundings – much like rivals such as the Sony WF-1000XM5.
However, bar activating the mode, you can't currently tailor it to suit your own tastes.
That's what's coming with a new "customisable adaptive audio mode" found in the latest beta. It enables you to further adjust the level of cancellation and/or transparency yourself. Options to "remove more noise" and "remove less noise" have been spotted (by Headphonesty) and could therefore appear in a full firmware release later this year.
Considering Apple plans to launch iOS 18 in a few months time, it would come as a major surprise to learn that the new mode is part of the full public release.
It is likely that you'll be able to access the additional controls through the AirPods Pro menu in settings, which is where you can currently find the other "Noise Control" modes when the earbuds are paired.
It is here that you can also change the touch activations for each AirPod, and turn on or off personalised spatial audio.
Other new features coming to AirPods Pro later this year include voice isolation, which will use better algorithms to counter background noise, such as the wind, to present your voice more clearly during a call. There will also be new gesture controls, such as the ability to answer or refuse a Siri request by nodding or shaking your head.
These were detailed by Apple during WWDC 2024 earlier in June. There are a number of new AI technologies coming to multiple devices later this year, all under the new banner of Apple Intelligence.
-
I tested the new iPad Air, and it's like a tablet and MacBook rolled into oneNow with an M3 chip and a new Magic Keyboard option, the iPad Air M3 promises to not only be the best portable tablet but a real mini laptop replacement, too
-
Netflix's new show Ransom Canyon is coming for Yellowstone's lunch moneyIt's precision-targeted
-
New evidence suggests Apple's taking its foldable iPhone seriouslyAnd it might bring something different to the party too
-
EU paves the way for iPhones and Android devices to ditch USB-C entirelyClarification enables Apple, Samsung and others to switch to wireless charging only
-
Apple's first foldable could come with an unexpected feature, claims expertIf it ends up being true, we'd be absolutely fine with it.
-
Google's Pixel 9a does one simple thing that could tempt me away from iPhones after a decadeGoogle's played a blinder here
-
Apple could have two Studio Displays in the pipeline, but there's mystery behind the secondThe great Apple monitor mystery – is Apple making two Studio Displays or something even bigger?
-
Google Maps design update finally comes to iPhone after Android owners have enjoyed it for monthsIt should make one-handed use much easier
-
MacBook Air M4 ups the power, battery life and is surprisingly cheaperApple announces a new MacBook Air with a big upgrade to M4 processing
-
There's an ingenious and cheap way to make sure you never lose your cameraIf you're worried about losing your expensive camera, this little device could help
