Second AirPods Pro Firmware Beta Adds Conversation Boost

[MacRumors]

Apple in July began providing developers with access to a beta version of the AirPods Pro firmware to test new features ahead of their release. Last Friday, Apple released a second version of the AirPods Pro firmware (4A362b), but it went under the radar until today when it was shared on Reddit.

According to Apple's developer website, the second AirPods Pro firmware update adds support for Conversation Boost, a feature that was missing from the first beta.

Conversation Boost is an iOS 15 feature that uses the beamforming microphones in the AirPods Pro to boost the volume level of conversations, which is ideal for those with mild to moderate hearing challenges.

The initial AirPods Pro firmware beta added support for FaceTime Spatial Audio and Ambient Noise Reduction, two other AirPods Pro features that are coming in the iOS 15 update.

Only registered developers are able to install the AirPods Pro firmware, and the installation process is rather complicated and requires Xcode. We have a walkthrough on installing the profile for the beta, but as with all over-the-air firmware updates, it takes some time for new software to be seeded to users.

Article Link: Second AirPods Pro Firmware Beta Adds Conversation Boost

 

[Apple Knowledge Navigator]

I can barely hear my family talk* let alone the TV, so this will come in handy

*this actually comes in handy sometimes and provides excellent excuses

 

[PsykX]

I can barely hear my family talk* let alone the TV, so this will come in handy

*this actually comes in handy sometimes and provides excellent excuses

You just sold me to go buy a pair after work !

 

[Mousse]

If it works with TV dialogues as well, then I'm interested. No more turn up the volume to hear what the actors are saying only to be deafen by the F/X sound. I got tired of having to volume up volume down, so I just turn the volume down to where the F/X isn't unbearable and read the captioning.

 

[DeftwillP]

How soon do they start slowly nerfing it like they're doing with ANC performance?

 

[repoman016]

If it works with TV dialogues as well, then I'm interested. No more turn up the volume to hear what the actors are saying only to be deafen by the F/X sound. I got tired of having to volume up volume down, so I just turn the volume down to where the F/X isn't unbearable and read the captioning.

I'm sorry but that sounds terrible. I would have returned them

 

[N0ughtsAndCr0sses]

Which is the official/public firmware again?

 

[augustrushrox]

The update process for AirPods has somehow always been just so randomly activated and incongruous with most other updateable Apple products. Even the Developer update process for AirPods is way more tedious than it needs to be. Apple really should just add a way to update AirPods from within the iOS Settings app.

 

[Psychicbob]

Have hearing impairment and currently use AirPod Pros as hearing aids. Use left pod first, pop it back in the charger, then use right pod, to extend usage. Works well ready for me and the conversation boost will help even more.

 

[SkiHound2]

I'm an old fart and know my hearing is not what it once was. I've also developed some tinnitus. I'm fine with normal conversations or watching TV in reasonably quiet environments. I notice it most in environments where there are a lot of competing sounds, like sitting with a group of folks in a noisy restaurant. I'll be very interested to try see how well this works.

 

[jmgregory1]

I'm an old fart and know my hearing is not what it once was. I've also developed some tinnitus. I'm fine with normal conversations or watching TV in reasonably quiet environments. I notice it most in environments where there are a lot of competing sounds, like sitting with a group of folks in a noisy restaurant. I'll be very interested to try see how well this works.

I’m right there with you on the challenged hearing, tinnitus and old fart status. I’m not sure that I’ll remember to bring my APP’s with me when my wife and I go out the next time, but I’ll give it a shot to see if it helps. Of course more people will be talking about why you’re wearing APP’s while you’re socializing.

I chalk up my hearing loss, along with my several broken molars, to my college days of living with a rock band and opening up too many bottles of beer with my teeth. We used the band’s loud speakers as part of our stereo, which seemed like a good idea back then. We even were scientific about how loud it was, measuring the fact that we could hear the stereo 2 miles from the apartment when the windows were open. We were such idiots…

So all you kids (16-25 year olds) on here, don’t do these stupid things, because you will grow old and have hearing problems and teeth problems if you are dumb enough to open beer bottles with them.

 

[whcchief]

How soon do they start slowly nerfing it like they're doing with ANC performance?

When the next model is coming out.

 

[gluckett]

The update process for AirPods has somehow always been just so randomly activated and incongruous with most other updateable Apple products. Even the Developer update process for AirPods is way more tedious than it needs to be. Apple really should just add a way to update AirPods from within the iOS Settings app.

While it's not as simple as just telling it to update the firmware, Apple support finally gave me a set of steps that has worked every time for me so far.

- Listen to music or other audio for at least 30 seconds
- Put them back in the case and close the lid
- Connect the case to the charger
- Wait 30 minutes - do not open the case during this time, otherwise it starts all over again

 

[SkiHound2]

I’m right there with you on the challenged hearing, tinnitus and old fart status. I’m not sure that I’ll remember to bring my APP’s with me when my wife and I go out the next time, but I’ll give it a shot to see if it helps. Of course more people will be talking about why you’re wearing APP’s while you’re socializing.

I chalk up my hearing loss, along with my several broken molars, to my college days of living with a rock band and opening up too many bottles of beer with my teeth. We used the band’s loud speakers as part of our stereo, which seemed like a good idea back then. We even were scientific about how loud it was, measuring the fact that we could hear the stereo 2 miles from the apartment when the windows were open. We were such idiots…

So all you kids (16-25 year olds) on here, don’t do these stupid things, because you will grow old and have hearing problems and teeth problems if you are dumb enough to open beer bottles with them.

Good advice. I grew up on a farm and operated all kinds of really noisy equipment. You haven't really lived till you've sat on a combine for 14 hours without getting off for anything other than biology requirements. No one was using any kind of hearing protection back then. Went to dances with really loud bands pretty much every Friday night. Liked my music loud. Fortunately my hearing is till OK in most normal environments. And I'm still skiing so there's that. I read a book a couple of years ago in which the author interviewed WWI vets. Don't recall the name, guess my memory is going the way of my hearing... Really interesting. These guys were well over 100, many getting into the 108+ range. One of the author's comments was that their mental and physical facilities varied widely, but none of them could hear well.

 

[Moonlight]

If it works with TV dialogues as well, then I'm interested. No more turn up the volume to hear what the actors are saying only to be deafen by the F/X sound. I got tired of having to volume up volume down, so I just turn the volume down to where the F/X isn't unbearable and read the captioning.

You might want to invest in HT speakers that can help with that. A proper center channel can really help with dialog.

 

[Moonlight]

How soon do they start slowly nerfing it like they're doing with ANC performance?

The moment you remove your tinfoil hat, they beamform a firmware update that nerfs it.

 

[SSDGUY]

I’m right there with you on the challenged hearing, tinnitus and old fart status. I’m not sure that I’ll remember to bring my APP’s with me when my wife and I go out the next time, but I’ll give it a shot to see if it helps. Of course more people will be talking about why you’re wearing APP’s while you’re socializing.

I chalk up my hearing loss, along with my several broken molars, to my college days of living with a rock band and opening up too many bottles of beer with my teeth. We used the band’s loud speakers as part of our stereo, which seemed like a good idea back then. We even were scientific about how loud it was, measuring the fact that we could hear the stereo 2 miles from the apartment when the windows were open. We were such idiots…

So all you kids (16-25 year olds) on here, don’t do these stupid things, because you will grow old and have hearing problems and teeth problems if you are dumb enough to open beer bottles with them.

I've been drummer all my life, and though I've used hearing protection much of that time, at 55 it's getting harder and harder to hear people when there are competing sounds, esp. other people talking. Curious if this will help in some situations. Too bad Apple insists on only making them bright white. More subtle options would be way better. But of course Apple mostly cares about its brand, not always user needs.

 

[appleguy123]

The update process for AirPods has somehow always been just so randomly activated and incongruous with most other updateable Apple products. Even the Developer update process for AirPods is way more tedious than it needs to be. Apple really should just add a way to update AirPods from within the iOS Settings app.

For sure this is a deliberate choice and not an oversight. Apple doesn’t want people to have to worry about updating their AirPods. There’s never going to be an AirPods firmware update that every user needs on Day 1. Easier just to let it happen in the background. Only people who actively read rumor sites have ever even thought about what firmware their AirPods or AirTags run.

 

[Sciomar]

I really would like new airpods, current ones hold up to about 45 mins of running. I have been on the fence about picking up the pros and this kind of added functionality makes it even harder to just wait for the new version to launch.

 

[_Spinn_]

This sounds like a really great feature for some people.

 

[4jasontv]

Too bad Apple insists on only making them bright white. More subtle options would be way better. But of course Apple mostly cares about its brand, not always user needs.

I don’t understand this thinking. They are iconic headphones not hearing aids. The fact that they invested time and money to include these features suggests they do care about user needs. Not just user needs but niche user needs.

Besides, these are more invisible than traditional hearing aids because most people would see them and think they are just headphones.

I’m not against other colors, but I can’t see Apple ever releasing another beige product. That said, they make vinyl wraps for AirPods that look good. I’m sure someone makes skin color wraps.

 

[amartinez1660]

If it works with TV dialogues as well, then I'm interested. No more turn up the volume to hear what the actors are saying only to be deafen by the F/X sound. I got tired of having to volume up volume down, so I just turn the volume down to where the F/X isn't unbearable and read the captioning.

Completely with you on this one. Christopher Nolan movies are the worst offenders in my opinion regarding that rollercoaster of sound volumes.

That’s why, and I know a lot will clench teeth, I surrendered to using subtitles for absolutely everything years ago. Thanks to playing voiceless text dialogue driven video games since a kid, it was kinda easy to get used to.

Also, what’s up with some writers, incredibly annoying having sequences like the following not pan out:

• Two characters speaking
• There’s something on a TV or radio on the background mumbling something
• The two characters suddenly stop speaking, pale looking facexpression
• One of them say: “woah! DID YOU HEAR THAT?!”

Nah man, I didn’t hear that, please repeat it word by word, I wasn’t paying attention to that thing in the background to begin with.

 

[StoneJack]

I've been drummer all my life, and though I've used hearing protection much of that time, at 55 it's getting harder and harder to hear people when there are competing sounds, esp. other people talking. Curious if this will help in some situations. Too bad Apple insists on only making them bright white. More subtle options would be way better. But of course Apple mostly cares about its brand, not always user needs.

If the color is a problem I am sure one can paint them with something or put a tape etc

 

[Apple Knowledge Navigator]

I'm an old fart and know my hearing is not what it once was.

Pull yourself together man! Seize the day!

 

[fullfast]

Does anybody know what the new firmware number is ?