Your AirPods Are About to Get a Major Upgrade
Apple just rolled out the second developer beta of macOS Sequoia, and while the new operating system is packed with exciting updates, it’s AirPods users who have a real reason to celebrate. Tucked inside this latest release are some of the most anticipated audio features announced at WWDC 2024. If you’re running the beta, you can now get a hands-on preview of a smarter, more immersive, and crystal-clear listening experience. Let’s dive into what’s new and how it will change the way you use your AirPods with your Mac.
Key AirPods Features Now Live in macOS Sequoia Beta 2
This isn’t just a minor tweak; it’s a significant leap forward for wireless audio on the Mac. Here are the groundbreaking features you can test right now:
1. Voice Isolation: Silence the Chaos
Ever tried to take a an important call from a bustling coffee shop or a windy street? Voice Isolation is your new superpower. This remarkable feature, powered by advanced computational audio, uses machine learning to identify and isolate your voice while aggressively eliminating background noise. For the person on the other end of the line, it’s the difference between a frustrating, garbled conversation and hearing you with pristine clarity. In our early tests, the feature works wonders, making it a game-changer for remote work and on-the-go communication.
2. Personalized Spatial Audio: Sound That’s Made for You
Spatial Audio already creates an incredible, theater-like soundscape. Now, Apple is making it personal. With Personalized Spatial Audio, you can use your iPhone’s TrueDepth camera to create a unique listening profile based on the specific geometry of your ears. macOS Sequoia then uses this map to tailor the audio experience precisely for you, making music, movies, and games feel more immersive and realistic than ever before. This feature also includes dynamic head tracking, so the sound stays anchored to your Mac even as you move your head.
3. Lower Audio Latency: A Win for Gamers
For gamers, every millisecond counts. High audio latency—the delay between what you see on screen and what you hear—can be the difference between victory and defeat. Apple has significantly reduced audio latency for AirPods Pro (2nd generation) in this beta. This means a more responsive and synchronized experience when gaming, ensuring sound effects and audio cues are perfectly timed with the on-screen action. It also improves the experience of watching videos and music production, eliminating that subtle, annoying lag.
How to Try These Features
To access these new features, you’ll need to be running the macOS Sequoia developer beta 2 on a compatible Mac and have a supported pair of AirPods (like the AirPods Pro 2nd Gen for the best experience). If you’re enrolled in the Apple Developer Program, you can download the update now. A public beta is expected to be released in July.
Warning: Beta software can be unstable and may contain bugs. We strongly recommend backing up your Mac with Time Machine before installing it and avoiding installation on a primary, mission-critical device.
These updates transform AirPods from simple wireless earbuds into a highly intelligent audio accessory, deeply integrated with the Apple ecosystem. What feature are you most excited to try? Let us know!