Apple’s AirPods are being upgraded with powerful accessibility features

As it has done in years past, Apple outlined upcoming new software features coming to the company’s current lineup of AirPods earbuds and headphones today.

Apple is introducing Siri Interactions, which includes new gesture controls for AirPods to control Siri in new ways. You can shake your head yes or no to respond without needing to use your voice, which is particularly useful in loud environments.

AirPods Pro are getting new Voice Isolation technology that utilizes the H2 chip and machine learning to isolate and enhance voice quality while removing background noise like wind so the listener can hear you clearly.

There’s also new Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking that now supports games. One of the first games to support the feature is Need for Speed Mobile on iOS. Apple is including a new API so developers can take advantage of personalized spatial audio and new high-quality 16-bit, 48kHz audio for gaming chat with AirPods Pro.

Personalized Spatial Audio for games will work with AirPods (third generation), AirPods Pro, and AirPods Max. AirPods Pro users also get better audio latency during gameplay. The new features will come in a software update later this fall.

During previous WWDC keynotes, Apple announced AirPods features like Adaptive Audio and Conversation Detection — along with a steady cadence of new accessibility-focused capabilities.

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