Apple Music Spatial Audio is Getting Dynamic Head Tracking Feature in Fall — What Does it Do?

Apple Music just rolled out Lossless Compression and Spatial Audio on WWDC, but another feature is coming this fall. Dynamic Head Tracking will add to the Dolby-powered technology.

Apple Music Spatial Audio

The Vice President of Apple Music and Beats, Oliver Schusser told Cult of Mac that the Dolby Atmos-powered spatial audio will make it seem like music is coming from "all around you."

The aforementioned feature was primarily for movies to mimic a cinematic experience. It gives an immersive experience of blockbuster films.

However, this time around, Apple will be using the said technology in its library of songs. Unfortunately, not all tracks are going to get the Dolby remastered version at first. Schusser teased that artists such as Maroon 5, The Weeknd, and Ariana Grande will feature Spatial Audio.

In hindsight, the Cupertino giant first confirmed that Spatial Audio will soon be available to Apple Music on May 17. And later on, it was officially announced to release on the same day as the WWDC.

Dynamic Head Tracking

Now that the new feature has officially started popping out from the apps of Apple Music users, an Apple support document is introducing Dynamic Head Tracking. Apple described the new feature in such a way that "it brings music to life by delivering sound that dynamically adjusts as you turn your head."

The support page added that it will be available for AirPods Pro and AirPods Max as long as it is paired with an iPhone or iPad that supports the feature.

MacRumors further said that Dynamic Head Tracking, in its current iteration, is already available when watching a video on compatible devices and accessories.

Currently, it works with a gyroscope and accelerometer from Apple's headphones and devices. Then, it will be tracking the movement of a user's head. With that, if the listener faces a different direction, the audio will still be anchored on where the device is.

However, Mac Rumors added that it is still unclear how the technology will apply in music - sans the video. Although it suggests that it could attempt to mimic a live gig, wherein there is a stage in front.

Release Date

So far, what is known is Apple Music users will be getting the intriguing new feature to add up to the existing Spatial Audio. It will start rolling out in the fall -- perhaps alongside the debut of iOS 15.

This article is owned by Tech Times

Written by Teejay Boris