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Apple Releases New Beta Firmware for AirPods Pro 2

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Apr 12, 2001
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Apple today introduced a new beta firmware update for the AirPods Pro 2, both the USB-C and Lightning versions. The new firmware is version 6E188, up from the prior 6B34 firmware released in December.

airpods-pro-2-pink.jpg

Apple does not often provide details or notes on what features might be included in the refreshed firmware, so it is unclear what's new. Note that this software is limited to developers at the current time.

There are no clear cut instructions on how to upgrade AirPods software, but firmware is generally installed over-the-air while the ‌‌AirPods‌‌ are connected to an iOS device. Putting the ‌‌‌‌‌AirPods‌‌‌‌‌ in the case, connecting the ‌‌‌‌‌AirPods‌‌‌‌‌ to a power source, and then pairing the ‌‌‌‌‌AirPods‌‌‌‌‌ to an iOS device or Mac should force the update.

You can check your ‌‌‌AirPods Pro‌‌‌‌‌‌‌ firmware by following these steps:
  • Connect your ‌‌‌‌‌‌AirPods Pro‌‌‌‌‌‌ to your iOS device.
  • Open the Settings app.
  • Tap General.
  • Tap About.
  • Tap ‌‌‌‌‌AirPods‌‌‌‌‌.
  • Look at the number next to "Firmware Version."
If we learn more about what's new in the firmware update, we'll update this article.

Article Link: Apple Releases New Beta Firmware for AirPods Pro 2
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2024/02/29/airpods-pro-2-beta-firmware-6e188/
Question: Was anyone having problems with their Mac in relation to the APP 2? My Mac Mini kept connecting and disconnecting to them even while in the case (it was actually causing it to wake all of the time). The only way I solved this was to disable automatic switching.

Note: it didn't start happening until after I added a second pair of APP 2 to my devices (I bellieve)
 
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vegetassj4 said:
Question: Was anyone having problems with their Mac in relation to the APP 2? My Mac Mini kept connecting and disconnecting to them in the case (it was actually causing it to wake all of the time). The only way I solved this was to disable automatic switching.

Note: it didn't start happening until after I added a second pair of APP 2 to my devices (I bellieve)
Click to expand...
I also experienced a bluetooth connection issue after adding a replacement APP 2 for the initial one which had poor microphone quality. What I am experiencing is persistent connection issues with my Mac. While listening to Apple Music using APP 2, I regularly receive a notice that the device connection was lost -- while the APP 2 is still playing. If I dismiss the notice the connection drops; but if I ignored the notice the APP 2 remains connected without issue. I'm hoping this update fixes the issue (and yours).
 
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vegetassj4 said:
Question: Was anyone having problems with their Mac in relation to the APP 2? My Mac Mini kept connecting and disconnecting to them even while in the case (it was actually causing it to wake all of the time). The only way I solved this was to disable automatic switching.

Note: it didn't start happening until after I added a second pair of APP 2 to my devices (I bellieve)
Click to expand...
Lately I've been dealing with an annoying problem with the automatic switching. Sometimes it connects right away to the current device, other times it would disconnect from my phone and connect to my Mac without me having to do anything. It's like the Mac "grabbed" a connection without me giving it permission.

I'll be in the "other room" separated by a few walls and the AirPods will disconnect from the phone (while doom scrolling on my side) and connect to the Mac.

I think It might have something to do with the Mac not going to sleep or being awake but I'm starting to get sick of the "WE (the AirPods) will switch to the device when WE think it's necessary"

I hope the makes more sense than my word spaghetti ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
 
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Probably (hopefully) coincidence based on age & use but after a recent "upgrade," my APP2s could no longer hold much charge. It was dramatic: normal one day and the next was short of battery very quickly. I hate when that happens right around software updates, because it is easy to imagine scenarios other than just "worn out."

With rumors of APP4s incoming, I decided to try to bridge the gap with some cheapies... and I mean shockingly cheapie ($20) with thousands of > 4-star ratings on Amazon. Naturally, my expectations were extremely low vs. the almighty APP2, because surely $20 could not remotely compete with $160+.

I've had my cheapies for a week now and the headlines are as follows:
  • Sound is very, VERY good... as in perhaps BETTER than APP2. Yes, that's subjective "ear of the beholder" but I've been doing head-to-head tests for several days now trying to re-fortify my want of a future APP and it's not happening based upon sound quality.
  • Fit is as good- a variety of tip types are in the box, just like APP2.
  • A numerical LCD gauge on the front shows percentage of charge, which- IMO- is far superior to the old green dot-orange dot of APP2. Yes, I know I can get more information with an iDevice but right on the case seems so much more user-friendly/convenient to me. See picture...
61Rj66MGXeL._AC_SL1500_.jpg


  • They connect to my iDevice before I can even get both in my ears.
  • I've tried them with music and phone calls and they work fine.
  • Package & weight is about the same or not noticeably different to me. The look & feel like APP2 clones.
So the remaining test to try to reconcile about 87% off is do they maintain all of the above and good battery for at least a few months? If they do, I no longer think I'm buying APP4... which seems shocking to me.

Perhaps this is a honeymoon phase that will crash & burn when the battery fails much sooner? However, thousands of Amazon reviews do NOT make much reference to any such problem (and there are plenty of Apple people offering reviews too). If anyone finds themselves in the same "in between" window like me (wanting to wait for the next gen), you might want to spend a lone Jackson and see- no HEAR- for yourself.
 
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HobeSoundDarryl said:
Probably (hopefully) coincidence based on age & use but after a recent "upgrade," my APP2s could no longer hold much charge. It was dramatic: normal one day and the next was short of battery very quickly. I hate when that happens right around software updates, because it is easy to imagine scenarios other than just "worn out."

With rumors of APP4s incoming, I decided to try to bridge the gap with some cheapies... and I mean shockingly cheapie ($20) with thousands for > 4-star ratings on Amazon. Naturally, my expectations were extremely low vs. the almighty APP2, because surely $20 could not remotely compete with $160+.

I've had my cheapies for a week now and the headlines are as follows:
  • Sound is very, VERY good... as in perhaps BETTER than APP2. Yes, that's subjective "ear of the beholder" but I've been doing head-to-head tests for several days now trying to re-fortify my want of a future APP and it's not happening based upon sound quality.
  • Fit is as good- a variety of tip types are in the box, just like APP2.
  • A numerical LCD gauge on the front shows percentage of charge, which- IMO- is far superior to the old green dot-orange dot of APP2. Yes, I know I can get more information with an iDevice but right on the case seems so much more user-friendly/convenient to me.
  • They connect to my iDevice before I can even get both in my ears.
  • I've tried them with music and phone calls and they work fine.
  • Package & weight is about the same or not noticeably different to me. The look & feel like APP2 clones.
So the remaining test to try to reconcile about 87% off is do they maintain all of the above and good battery for at least a few months? If they do, I no longer think I'm buying APP4... which seems shocking to me.

Perhaps this is a honeymoon phase that will crash & burn when the battery fails much sooner? However, thousands of Amazon reviews do NOT make much reference to any such problem (and there are plenty of Apple people offering reviews too). If anyone finds themselves in the same "in between" window like me (wanting to wait for the next gen), you might want to spend a lone Jackson and see- no HEAR- for yourself.
Click to expand...
Slow connection to iPhone, Apple TV, etc. - that's my number one complaint with my APP2!!!! It's almost like some 3rd party makes these APP2 for Apple and then Apple engineers are trying to figure out how to interface with them and they are doing a piss poor job. Come on Apple!!!!??!??!!!
 
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This firmware update enables audio. Firmware updates are important for your AirPods Pro 2 and also include optimisations to give you the best possible experience.

:rolleyes:
 
HobeSoundDarryl said:
Probably (hopefully) coincidence based on age & use but after a recent "upgrade," my APP2s could no longer hold much charge. It was dramatic: normal one day and the next was short of battery very quickly. I hate when that happens right around software updates, because it is easy to imagine scenarios other than just "worn out."
Click to expand...
I wish AirPods would report the maximum capacity of its batteries. The information is supposedly visible to Apple Support engineers, so why hide it?

Also, as AirPods' audio parameters are tweaked, allow users to choose which implementation they prefer.
 
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HobeSoundDarryl said:
However, thousands of Amazon reviews do NOT make much reference to any such problem (and there are plenty of Apple people offering reviews too).
Click to expand...
It's great that you are having a good experience with those earbuds, and at that price it's certainly worth taking a chance on them. However, according to the analysis of the Amazon product page by Fakespot, most of those thousands of reviews are bogus. So I'd take what is (or is not) written there with a grain of salt.

Screen Shot 2024-03-01 at 7.35.32 AM.png
Here's the link the full analysis:

https://www.fakespot.com/product/wi...-with-led-power-display-for-android-ios-white
 
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HobeSoundDarryl said:
With rumors of APP4s incoming, I decided to try to bridge the gap with some cheapies... and I mean shockingly cheapie ($20)
Click to expand...
I believe it, there are good 3rd party alternatives. Re the battery display on the side. It looks cool but I don’t think Apple would add this to APP.

It takes away from the simplicity of the case and the display consumes power.

Thanks for the quick review though.
 
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japanime said:
It's great that you are having a good experience with those earbuds, and at that price it's certainly worth taking a chance on them. However, according to the analysis of the Amazon product page by Fakespot, most of those thousands of reviews are bogus. So I'd take what is (or is not) written there with a grain of salt.

View attachment 2354350Here's the link the full analysis:

https://www.fakespot.com/product/wi...-with-led-power-display-for-android-ios-white
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info. $20 bucks is cheap enough to take a shot and see what happens. I'll proceed with negative expectations in spite of a great first week so far. If they fail too soon or battery is actually crap after 10 charges or similar, it's only $20 and might buy me enough time for the rumored APP4 release if I wish to buy Apple's incarnation again. TBD first hand over the next weeks or months.
 
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- rob - said:
I believe it, there are good 3rd party alternatives. Re the battery display on the side. It looks cool but I don’t think Apple would add this to APP.

It takes away from the simplicity of the case and the display consumes power.

Thanks for the quick review though.
Click to expand...

I'm not expecting Apple to add it- just pointing out that I find it far superior to green dot-orange dot. Every time I put them away, I see a numerical gauge of remaining charge... which means I can work them down to maybe 15% or so and then charge them back up to full or perhaps that 80% level that works better for some Lithium battery devices. Key benefit: less charge cycles without bumping into “can’t use because- surprise- they are dead today”, which theoretically should translate to longer useful life.

With green dot-orange dot, I usually discover I need to charge in a situation where I want to use them... which is LATER than I'd like know that. Else, I just play a guessing game and may be charging them to full when they are 50%-60%-70% or more charged already. This option nullifies that guessing. The green-orange/guess way probably helps wear out the battery faster so I can give Apple about $160 again ASAP. Shareholders rejoice! 💰💰💰
 
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HobeSoundDarryl said:
  • A numerical LCD gauge on the front shows percentage of charge, which- IMO- is far superior to the old green dot-orange dot of APP2. Yes, I know I can get more information with an iDevice but right on the case seems so much more user-friendly/convenient to me.
Click to expand...
I hate, hate, hate the modern green/orange/amber/whatever dot thing. I'm color blind and can't tell the difference. First-world problem? For sure. But it's a hassle.
 
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