I believe the content needs to support some kind of surround sound audio like Dolby 7.1 etc. I might be wrong though.
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New AirPods Pro Firmware Introduces Spatial Audio Support and Automatic Switching
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Because it will match the movie better. You already get surround sound if you don't turn the spatial audio feature on.
Wow. Just tried it out and I am seriously impressed!!!!
It took me about 3 hours after having both iPhone XS (connected to gigabit WiFi) and AirPods Pro (in case with lid open) connected to lightning chargers and on/connected together (refreshing every 10 minutes by closing lid and opening/disconnecting and reconnecting) for me to receive the new update.
I can say the noise cancelling is a bit better now (at least for me), and the spatial audio is just *alright*... you really have to turn your head and I don’t see a ton of end user benefit from this. It’s not really more immersive. Those YouTube videos like “The Tucker Zone” use 3D audio in a much more effective way than this implementation. I can see this being a *tiny* bit cool, the kind of thing you forget a couple seconds later, on the Apple TV but I haven’t tested if this works yet on my Apple TV 4K with the Developer Beta installed.
I can say the noise cancelling is a bit better now (at least for me), and the spatial audio is just *alright*... you really have to turn your head and I don’t see a ton of end user benefit from this. It’s not really more immersive. Those YouTube videos like “The Tucker Zone” use 3D audio in a much more effective way than this implementation. I can see this being a *tiny* bit cool, the kind of thing you forget a couple seconds later, on the Apple TV but I haven’t tested if this works yet on my Apple TV 4K with the Developer Beta installed.
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Just watched the intro to Apocalypse Now and have to say this is more than a gimmick. It works really well and gives the impression of immersive surround sound from the sound source. Like others I took my AirPods out to check the sound wasn’t coming from my phone.
Any 5.1 trailer for example. I know it works, because the effect is indistinguishable and follows head movements. There’s an on/off switch for surround sound vs stereo conversion.
Air Video has long had surround support via AppleTV AirPlay. It appears that the same API now implements Spatial Sound for it. That’s my theory.
that audio switching worries me, say your on the Mac watching videos does it stop as soon as you pick up your phone that would be so annoying, videos are showing if your on your iPad watching a video and you pick up your phone it changes to the phone how would that work, does it mean if your using your phone listering to stuff and you open your iPad it will cancel it.
I hope they can make this work for Apple TV as well. I would buy a pair of these if it meant I could have some kind of virtual surround sound! Kind of sounds like the accelerometer is needed, though, so maybe not...
So this now works with my iPhone 11 Pro Max, doesn’t work with iPad Pro 2016 and can’t get it to work with 2020 MBP.
Does anyone know if spatial audio works on the iPad Pro 10.5? I am running the latest iPadOS 14 and the latest firmware on my AirPods Pro but not seeing the spatial audio button or hearing any difference. Sorry if its been asked already- could have overlooked it if it was. Thanks
EDIT: Thanks to those who helped answer my question. I forget that the 10.5" is as old as it is and the spatial audio feature is limited to the following iPads per the iPadOS 14 Preview site: "Works with AirPods Pro. Requires iPad Pro 12.9‑inch (3rd generation) and later, iPad Pro 11‑inch, iPad Air (3rd generation), iPad (6th generation) and later, or iPad mini (5th generation)." I wonder what else will be left out for this seemingly capable iPad?? Hopefully not much as I am not looking to upgrade for another year or two.
EDIT: Thanks to those who helped answer my question. I forget that the 10.5" is as old as it is and the spatial audio feature is limited to the following iPads per the iPadOS 14 Preview site: "Works with AirPods Pro. Requires iPad Pro 12.9‑inch (3rd generation) and later, iPad Pro 11‑inch, iPad Air (3rd generation), iPad (6th generation) and later, or iPad mini (5th generation)." I wonder what else will be left out for this seemingly capable iPad?? Hopefully not much as I am not looking to upgrade for another year or two.
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The surround sound works on Netflix and Prime but the feeling of sound coming from your iPhone is currently only available on content from Apple TV app or something purchased from the iTunes Store.
Only limited testing so far but I think you have to sleep the old device so the new device picks up.
What about the beats line that was supposed to get auto switch
Edit Powerbeats pro got it just take earbuds out of case
Edit Powerbeats pro got it just take earbuds out of case
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I don't see a reason why it wouldn't work on an iPad Pro and I'm guessing you're looking for the Spatial Audio setting in the Control Center?
Try watching the Dolby Atmos test vid on YouTube for Atmos sound. But for the other half of the wonder it's only available on content in the Apple TV+ app for now. Netflix and others would have to update their apps to support the Spatial Audio API.
EDIT: Motion tracking part of Spatial Audio seems to work on Disney+.
EDIT 2: iPad Pro 10.5 apparently doesn’t support the spatial audio cuz it uses an older chip. My bad!
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Cant for the life of me get mine to update. Guides say to plug in the AirPods but what about the phone? Do I leave the lid of the case open? (Wont Airpods not connect to the phone if the case is closed?)
Agreed. I can't quite understand how, for someone who's sitting in front of a mac all day, occasionally wearing headphones and my phone rings, I probably want to just answer my phone normally so I can leave my open office plan (currently my dining room table) and talk somewhere I'm not disturbing anyone.
If the Airpods do the "smart thing", would pulling them out and chucking them on my desk switch the audio back to my iPhone or would I have to put them back in the case...
Right. Works with TV shows and movies (h.254/265) I've ripped myself, played out of the TV app, but those same files played through Plex/inFuse don't have spatial audio.
Just leave the lid closed. Maybe restart your iPhone and leave them next to each other for about half hour both plugged in. That should most definitely do the trick.
You can turn off auto switching in settings from the Bluetooth menu. I haven’t tested it enough to know how much it switches.