Apple explains why Vision Pro requires the USB-C version of 2nd generation AirPods Pro, and also found out that it was considering using GPS for adaptive audio

Apple's AirPods Pro (2nd generation) wireless earphones with noise canceling function, which were released in September 2022, were released in September 2023 with a case equipped with a USB-C connector . In an interview with IT news site TechCrunch, an Apple executive revealed that only this USB-C version of the 2nd generation AidPods Pro is compatible with the AR/VR headset ' Apple Vision Pro ' scheduled to be released in 2024. I'm talking.

Apple executives break down AirPods' new features | TechCrunch
https://techcrunch.com/2023/09/25/apple-executives-break-down-airpods-new-features/

The USB-C version of the 2nd generation AirPods Pro has improved dustproof performance and sweat and water resistance to IP54 compared to the Lightning version. Another big feature is the introduction of lossless audio with Apple Vision Pro. This 'enhanced dustproof performance, sweat and water resistance' and 'support for lossless audio with Apple Vision Pro' are features only for the USB-C version of the 2nd generation AirPods Pro.

In a release released in September 2023, Apple said, 'The H2 chip found in the latest AirPods Pro and Apple Vision Pro combines with a breakthrough wireless audio protocol to deliver powerful, powerful audio that significantly reduces audio latency. 20-bit, 48kHz lossless audio.'

Apple upgrades AirPods Pro (2nd generation) to USB-C charging - Apple (Japan)
https://www.apple.com/jp/newsroom/2023/09/apple-upgrades-airpods-pro-2nd-generation-with-usb-c-charging/

Regarding lossless audio support for Apple Vision Pro, Ron Huang, Apple's vice president of sensing and connectivity, revealed that the audio protocol for AirPods has been redesigned to a new one that uses frequencies in the 5GHz band. did.

Mr. Huang said, ``Bluetooth normally communicates in the 2.4GHz band, and that communication band is extremely noisy.This is why Wi-Fi routers support two communication bands, 2.4GHz and 5GHz. A truly low-latency audio experience, and a truly high-fidelity, lossless audio experience, depends on the connection between Vision Pro and AirPods Pro. A 5Ghz combination can get you close to that experience. We were essentially able to redesign a completely new audio protocol at 5GHz for AirPods.' However, Mr. Huang did not reveal what this new audio protocol is.

In addition, the 2nd generation AirPods, including the Lightning version, have been updated with three new features: ``adaptive audio'', ``personalized volume'', and ``conversation detection'' through a firmware update in line with the release of iOS 17.

Adaptive audio is a function that dynamically combines external sound intake and active noise canceling to automatically adjust the sound according to the surrounding environment. Personalized Volume is a feature that allows adaptive audio to learn over time to adjust settings to suit your individual needs. Conversation Detection is a feature that automatically lowers the volume of the music and raises the voice of the person in front of you when you are having a conversation with someone nearby.

According to Eric Treski, Apple's director of product marketing, the adaptive audio uses 48,000 noise-cancelling monitors per second, and uses built-in microphones in AirPods Pro to listen to sound in your ears. It also measures the volume and seems to be able to accurately grasp the volume that you are actually experiencing.

Mr. Huang also revealed that when developing a system to determine noise levels with adaptive audio, he also considered ways to use the device's GPS. According to Mr. Huang, Apple was testing a function that accurately grasps location information from the connected iPhone's GPS and determines whether the user is at home or outdoors.

However, 'after much testing, we didn't conclude that it was the right way to do it, so it wasn't implemented. Of course, homes aren't always quiet, and the outside world isn't always noisy.' ``Rather than using the iPhone's location information as a hint, we decided to use AirPods to check the environment in real time,'' said Huang.