Siri head gestures were added as part of iOS 18
As soon as Apple’s WWDC, AirPods could get some new functionality, including some new head gestures as well as a return of a camera feature.
The WWDC keynote is days away, and the rumors about what Apple will introduce are accelerating. The latest batch involves some claims about Apple’s personal audio devices, AirPods.
In a roundup of changes on the way published on June 4, 9to5Mac claims there are a collection of features set to arrive on AirPods. The features are intended to make the earphones more useful in multiple ways, beyond improving audio quality.
In 2024, AirPods gained features like responding to a Siri query by a nod or head shake. For 2025, AirPods could do something similar for volume.
Currently, users can end a Conversation Awareness volume control with a press and hold of a stem or by swiping up. However, it is believed that a head gesture will offer the same functionality.
The head tracking won’t just be for triggering functions, as it could also help detect if the user has fallen asleep while wearing AirPods. If so, it’s possible for the AirPods to trigger a pause of media playback when this is detected.
Sleep detection may not necessarily be something the AirPods perform on their own, as there’s a chance it could work alongside the existing Apple Watch sleep detection capabilities.
Cameras and classrooms
One feature on the list is a revival of existing functionality for wired earphones. While you could previously use volume control on a wired headphone or earphone to trigger the iPhone or iPad shutter, this could extend to a tap of the AirPods stem.
It’s thought that this may not necessarily be limited to when the user wears AirPods, as it may be functional when secretly held in a hand.
On the subject of connectivity, it is thought that Apple will streamline the connection of AirPods to an iPad to use fewer steps. The intention is to make it easier to connect and use AirPods with shared devices, such as an iPad in a classroom.
Lastly, Apple plans to get AirPods to become a better microphone for video recordings. A “studio quality” mic mode is said to be on the way, which could work as part of the Audio Mix function of the iPhone 16.