Unveiling the New S2 App for Sonos Systems: Enhanced Audio at a Cost - Insights From ZDNet
Unveiling Apple’s Latest Enhancements: Top 4 New Traits of Improved AirPods Lines - Insights for Tech Savvies
Jason Hiner/ZDNET
During Apple’s annual hardware event , the company announced two new AirPods in the fourth-generation lineup, new software features for the premium AirPods Pro 2, and some minor hardware upgrades to the over-ear AirPods Max.
Each pair of Apple headphones debut with interesting upgrades which should make any audio and Apple fanatic excited to try what’s new. Although there are plenty of things to be excited about, there are a few standout features worth noting. Let’s go over the best ones.
Disclaimer: This post includes affiliate links
If you click on a link and make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.
1. Hearing aid mode
Apple announced an innovative feature coming to AirPods Pro 2 when iOS 18 is released on Monday, September 16. This feature is called hearing aid mode and is only available on Apple’s premium earbuds. Users can complete a hearing test with their AirPods Pro 2, and the results are stored on the health app on their iPhone.
Also: Your AirPods Pro 2 can soon double as over-the-counter hearing aids. Here’s how
Then, if needed, the AirPods Pro 2 can use the wearer’s results and double as an over-the-counter hearing aid. This feature will allow the Pro 2 earbuds to use their directional microphones to amplify conversational noises for users who have difficulty hearing conversations in noisy environments. Apple is still waiting for the FDA to approve this feature, but the company expects the approval to be ready for iOS 18’s release.
2. Find My speaker
Apple’s AirPods Pro 2 feature a small speaker on the bottom of the charging case that rings when you press “Play Sound” in the Find My app. This speaker helps you locate your AirPods when they’re nearby, but you can’t pinpoint exactly where they are. Apple implemented the Find My speaker into the AirPods 4 with active noise cancellation.
Jada Jones/ZDNET
3. AirPods Max wired listening
Apple refreshed its over-ear headphones, the AirPods Max, during this year’s iPhone event. Although the upgrades only include new colors and a USB-C port, I’m satisfied with the USB-C compatibility. The AirPods Max with a Lightning port made wired listening feel like a science experiment. Users had to use two adapters to listen to wired audio, and there was no promise that extra dongles would get the job done.
Newsletters
ZDNET Tech Today
ZDNET’s Tech Today newsletter is a daily briefing of the newest, most talked about stories, five days a week.
Subscribe
Now, if you have an iPhone 15 or newer, you can plug a USB-C cable into your iPhone and AirPods Max and begin listening. If you have an iPhone 14 or older, you can use a Lightning-to-USB-C adapter to plug into the new AirPods Max.
4. A ‘Goldilocks’ pair of AirPods
Apple’s AirPods selections had a considerable audio and software features gap between the second and third-generation AirPods and the AirPods Pro 2. If you wanted AirPods with noise cancellation, you had to purchase the Pro 2, even if you didn’t plan on using their more sophisticated audio features.
Also: Two reasons why I’m thrilled that there’s no new Apple Watch Ultra or AirPods Pro
Now, you can buy the AirPods 4 with noise cancellation, which offer upgraded audio features like spatial audio with dynamic head tracking, transparency mode, and adaptive audio without overpaying for the Pro 2 earbuds. I call the mid-tier AirPods 4 the “Goldilocks” AirPods because they are right in the middle between Apple’s lower-end AirPods and the more advanced AirPods Pro 2.
Apple
iPhone 16 Pro upgrade: If you have a 3 year-old iPhone, here are all the new features you’ll get
My biggest regret with upgrading my iPhone to iOS 18 (and I’m not alone)
We’ve used every iPhone 16 model and here’s our best buying advice for 2024
6 iOS 18 settings I changed immediately - and why you should too
- iPhone 16 Pro upgrade: If you have a 3 year-old iPhone, here are all the new features you’ll get
- My biggest regret with upgrading my iPhone to iOS 18 (and I’m not alone)
- We’ve used every iPhone 16 model and here’s our best buying advice for 2024
- 6 iOS 18 settings I changed immediately - and why you should too
Also read:
- [New] In 2024, Cutting-Edge iPad Voice Recording Tools 3P
- 24 Pro? Find Out in This In-Depth Analysis! - TechRadar
- Apple Discontinues FineWoven Collection in Favor of New Partnership with Beats - Exclusive Insights | TechCrunch
- Beeper Integration Boosted by Automattic Takeover – The Future of Messaging Services Under New Management
- Easy Guide to Lava Agni 2 5G FRP Bypass With Best Methods
- Exclusive Deal Before Holidays: High-Quality Used Apple TV & Free Siri Remote, Priced at Only $75 with ZDNet's Expert Analysis!
- Get Ready, Set, Go! Adding a Countdown Timer in FCPX in Just 3 Steps
- How to Control and Disable Amber & Emergency Alerts on iPhones Efficiently
- In 2024, 4 Most-Known Ways to Find Someone on Tinder For Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 by Name | Dr.fone
- May 2024'S Top AT&T Phone Promotions Revealed by ZDNET for Maximum Value and Quality Service
- New Create Movies Online for Free Top 9 Tools
- Storage Galore Selecting Top PS5 HDDs/SSDs for 2024
- Troubleshooting Guide: Fixing Non-Functional Skype Microphone on Windows 1N
- Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Best Thermal Paste for Your CPU in 2E24 – Rankings & Reviews
- Unveiling Hidden Gems: Why the $349 iPad Stole the Show at Apple's Bold New Era Launch
- Title: Unveiling the New S2 App for Sonos Systems: Enhanced Audio at a Cost - Insights From ZDNet
- Author: John
- Created at : 2024-11-02 20:10:12
- Updated at : 2024-11-05 16:36:29
- Link: https://techno-recovery.techidaily.com/unveiling-the-new-s2-app-for-sonos-systems-enhanced-audio-at-a-cost-insights-from-zdnet/
- License: This work is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0.