Apple is poised to unleash a swathe of software upgrades to millions of iPhone, iPad, and Mac owners across the UK tonight — offering unprecedented levels of customisation, a brand-new app to manage Passwords, improvements to iMessage and Apple Maps, and a redesigned Photos app.
While this isn't anything unusual — Apple releases its blockbuster software updates around this time every year — the Californian company will have a surprise up its sleeve when the iOS 18 release time and macOS Sequoia release date roll around at 6pm BST on September 16.
That's because both of these operating system upgrades contain an update for AirPods.
Yes, installing the latest software on your iPhone, iPad, or MacBook will also trigger an update to the AirPods paired with these devices — unleashing new features.
First announced at its Worldwide Developer Conference earlier this summer, AirPods Pro and owners of the newly-announced AirPods 4 will be able to accept or dismiss an incoming call with a nod or shake of the heads, respectively. In a brief video to demo the feature, Apple showed a man standing in a packed elevator with his hands full, when suddenly Siri announces that he has an incoming phone call from "Gam Gam". With a shake "no" of his head, the man dismisses the call.
You'll need a pair of AirPods powered by the latest generation of Apple's dedicated chipsets for Bluetooth earbuds — the H2 — to unlock the new features. That means either the AirPods Pro 2, or the incoming AirPods 4 and AirPods 4 with ANC, set to be released in the UK on September 20
These new head gestures, dubbed Siri Interactions, aren't simply limited to calls — you'll also be able to interact with incoming text messages, notifications, calendar appointments and more without uttering a sound. Nodding your head "yes" will signify that you want to accept the call or action a notification. Shaking your head "no" will dismiss it and resume playback of your music, podcast, or audiobook.
Until now, AirPod owners had to use the hands-free voice commands for Siri to interact with anything announced by the chatty AI assistant, such a replying to a text message, dismissing a reminder about an upcoming event.
If voice assistant Siri doesn't announce incoming calls or notifications in your AirPods, it might simply be that you haven't enabled the feature. To do that, head to the Settings app on your iPhone, then tap Notifications > Announce Notifications > Turn on Announce Notifications.
Although Siri is able to announce notifications across all models of AirPods, the new gesture controls are limited to the wireless earbuds with a new H2 system-on-a-chip inside.
When you do take a call on AirPods Pro, the next major software update will bring much clearer calls. It's all thanks to the arrival of Voice Isolation, which uses Artificial Intelligence (AI) to strip out disruptive background noise — like the sound of wind — and boost your voice.
Apple added Voice Isolation to calls on Mac, iPhone, and iPad two years ago, but it's brilliant to see the same functionality make the jump to AirPods.
Like Siri Interactions, Voice Isolation requires an H2 system-on-a-chip, so you'll need the second-generation AirPods Pro, or the forthcoming AirPods 4, to take advantage of this upgrade.
The final update coming to Apple's line-up of wireless earbuds and headphones is gaming support for Personalised Spatial Audio. iOS 18 includes a dedicated Gaming Mode, which shuts down background processes to maintain a high frame rate in graphics-intensive mobile games at all times, so it makes sense that Apple has included some enhancements on the audio side too.
Apple has worked to reduce audio latency when gaming on your iPhone, and brings the dynamic head tracking of personalised Spatial Audio to your favourite game too. If you're using voice chat to talk with other players in-game, Apple says it's improved call quality for AirPods Pro users by including 16-bit, 48kHz audio.
"The same immersive experience that has transformed music and movies puts you right in the middle of the action of your favourite games," Apple has promised in the marketing material for the next update.
Firmware updates are delivered automatically when your AirPods are charging and in Bluetooth range of your iPhone, iPad or Mac connected to Wi-Fi. There's no need to dive into the Settings menu to trigger the update — like you'll need to do on iPhone or iPad.
