Apple Previously Considering Using GPS to Control Adaptive Audio Levels on AirPods Pro

Apple is always a tech powerhouse when it comes to gadgets, smart home devices, and wearable products such as AirPods Pro.

With the arrival of the Adaptive Transparency feature, the Cupertino giant finds a way to suppress background noise and bring a more immersive listening experience to the users.

The latest report says that the company considered using GPS to control the said feature for the AirPods Pro.

Adaptive Audio in Action

Imagine a world where your earbuds automatically adjust to your surroundings. That's precisely what Adaptive Audio does. It dynamically fine-tunes noise control as you transition between different environments and interactions. This intelligent feature automatically suppresses loud or distracting sounds in your vicinity, such as the droning noise of a leaf blower or the roar of a plane passing overhead.

Meanwhile, it ensures that important sounds, like the sudden beep of a car horn, remain audibly clear. It's like having your own audio engineer in your earbuds.

In a recent interview with TechCrunch, Ron Huang, Apple's VP of sensing and connectivity, revealed some fascinating insights into the development of Adaptive Audio.

Initially, Apple considered using GPS location data to inform AirPods Pro of the user's whereabouts and tailor the audio experience accordingly. However, real-world testing led to the conclusion that this method was inefficient.

"During the early stages of developing Adaptive Audio, we experimented with placing users in either Active Noise Cancellation or Transparency mode based on their location," Huang explained.

Apple VP Sheds Light to the Importance of 5GHz Wireless

Huang also shed light on the technology that makes Adaptive Audio possible, particularly for USB-C AirPods Pro. Thanks to the upgraded H2 chip's ability to harness the 5GHz wireless band, these earbuds can support Lossless Audio with Vision Pro.

Unlike the second-generation AirPods Pro with a Lightning port, which supports 2.4GHz, the 5GHz spectrum offers a cleaner and less congested channel for data transmission, per MacRumors.

According to Huang, the 2.4 gigahertz band on Bluetooth is "quite crowded," so there's a need to achieve ultra-low latency audio. The new audio protocol focuses more on bringing clean channels for audio.

iOS 17 Features For AirPods Pro

Huang also touched upon the additional features that iOS 17 brought to AirPods Pro, including Conversation Awareness, Personalized Audio, and faster device switching. These innovations further enhance the user experience and make these earbuds a compelling choice for those who demand the best.

With a price tag of $249 in the U.S., the second-generation AirPods Pro has started reaching the eager hands of customers. They represent a leap forward in audio technology, making every note, every conversation, and every interaction a truly immersive and adaptive experience.

If you need help spotting fake AirPods this year, check our previous report about the best tips you need to apply in searching for a legitimate product.