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Apple today announced that the second-generation AirPods, AirPods Pro, Powerbeats, Powerbeats Pro, and Beats Solo Pro are gaining automatic switching between Apple devices like the iPhone, iPad, and Mac. For example, if you finish a phone call on your iPhone and pick up your iPad to watch a movie, the AirPods or Beats will automatically switch over.

airpods-surround-sound.jpg

AirPods Pro are also getting a new "spatial audio" feature that promises to deliver a theater-like surround sound experience wherever you are. Apple says spatial audio with dynamic head tracking puts surround sound channels in exactly the right place, even as you turn your head or move your device. This feature will require an iPhone 7 or newer.

For developers, Apple is releasing a new Motion API that provides access to orientation, user acceleration, and rotational rates for the AirPods Pro, which will be beneficial for fitness apps, games, and more.

These new features are tied to the release of iOS 14, macOS Big Sur, and watchOS 7.

Article Link: AirPods Getting Automatic Switching Between Apple Devices, Theater-Like 'Spatial Audio' Coming to AirPods Pro
 
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Christian 5G

macrumors 65816
Jun 16, 2010
1,080
743
Orange County, CA
That's exciting! Maybe some more base would be nice too. I actually wonder how much can they do in firmware updates like this.

I am more excited about the AirPods switching between devices by itself.
 
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Syk

macrumors 65816
Jun 20, 2010
1,090
583
About time they got this...I want to be able to watch AppleTV with my AirPod Pros, leave the house and have it switch my iphone for the source
 
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Gatnus

macrumors newbie
Mar 13, 2013
24
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I wonder if these will work with Powerbeats Pro?

I find I'm constantly changing between my iPhone and my Mac / would love to see the headphones be smart enough to do it on their own, especially for an incoming call while connected to the Mac.
 
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Joniz

macrumors 6502a
Sep 21, 2017
676
1,646
I’m not watching the presentation.

Was there any mention of what will happen if you’re watching a show on the Apple TV and then you just happen to check something on your phone or iPad? Will they just change on you?
 

Sodium Chloride

macrumors 6502
Jul 11, 2017
266
128
If only I could do this with the Apple Pencil. The ability to use one Apple Pencil for two iPads without having to reconnect every time would be awesome
 

Superman730

macrumors regular
Jun 25, 2012
132
94
Don’t AirPods already switch between devices?
They do sort of. Like, if you're listening to something on a different device and your phone rings, you can tell it to answer and use the AirPods. It also quickly switches between the devices just not automatically.

My main concern here is it switching automatically when I DON'T want it to. Like I'm listening to a podcast on one device and scrolling through Safari or FaceBook on another and they think I want to listen to a dumb ad or autoplay video or something.
 

Kabeyun

macrumors 68040
Mar 27, 2004
3,416
6,447
Eastern USA
For an authentic surround sound experience, the sound field needs to stay fixed even when you move your head. AirPods will be able to use the built-in accelerometer to track the motion of your head, remapping the sound field so it stays anchored to your device even as your head moves or when the bus you are riding on turns the corner.
Perpetual cynics, haters, and malcontents excepted, who doesn’t think this is just freaking cool?
 

jashworth03

macrumors member
Sep 11, 2014
87
34
They do sort of. Like, if you're listening to something on a different device and your phone rings, you can tell it to answer and use the AirPods. It also quickly switches between the devices just not automatically.

My main concern here is it switching automatically when I DON'T want it to. Like I'm listening to a podcast on one device and scrolling through Safari or FaceBook on another and they think I want to listen to a dumb ad or autoplay video or something.

I worry about this too. I use a Mac and am on it 8+ hours a day. What happens when I'm using my Mac but pick up my iPhone to look at something? Does it pop over to it?
 
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anshuvorty

macrumors 68040
Sep 1, 2010
3,470
5,112
California, USA
Man, what is it with tech companies and going after trends? It looks like Spatial audio is the hot new trend. Just some examples of companies pursuing spatial audio recently:
  • Sony - PS 5's custom audio engine called Tempest
  • Razer - THX Spatial Audio software
  • Apple - Spatial Audio for AirPods
This is great news and with Apple's solid track record with audio, I'm sure their solution will be pretty great. But it is just weird seeing these companies going after these trends all at the same time...

I dunno, just my thoughts...
 
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