Apple has been at the forefront of technological innovation, constantly pushing the boundaries of what we can achieve with our devices. From the iPhone to the Apple Watch, their products have become an integral part of our lives. Now, it seems that Apple AirPods, their popular wireless earbuds, may be taking another leap forward by incorporating features that go beyond audio.
Apple’s AirPods lineup is generating considerable buzz with reports hinting at exciting developments. According to recent rumors, the tech giant has ambitious plans to introduce an enhanced iteration of AirPods, featuring cutting-edge capabilities related to hearing health and body temperature monitoring.
According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the tech giant’s new headphones will feature USB-C, and the company is also planning new AirPods Pro and AirPods Max models, reports The Verge. Anticipated to launch next year, the new AirPods are expected to come equipped with Type-C ports. This aligns with Apple’s potential strategy of adopting Type-C as a standardized connector across its range of products.
According to the newsletter, Apple is in the process of developing an innovative hearing test feature for its upcoming AirPods. This feature aims to assess the user’s hearing abilities by playing various tones and sounds, similar to how the Apple Watch’s ECG app screens for potential heart issues. This advancement has the potential to render existing apps like Mimi either obsolete or overshadowed, as it promises to deliver an improved hearing test experience.
- The newsletter reads,
There’s also engineering work being done on adding sensors to the AirPods so they can determine body temperature via a wearer’s ear canal. That type of data is considered more accurate than wrist temperature, which is collected on the Apple Watch Series 8 and Ultra models while users sleep
Presently, AirPods have the capability to accommodate audiograms, which are personalized audio profiles that allow the device to adapt to specific areas of the user’s hearing that may require additional support.
In light of the recent decision by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to permit the over-the-counter sale of hearing aids without a prescription, industry sources have indicated that Apple is contemplating positioning AirPods as hearing aids. This move could potentially open up new avenues for marketing the popular iPhone maker’s wireless earbuds.
