WWDC 2024: Apple brings new Siri Interactions, Voice Isolation to AirPods

Apple AirPods

At WWDC 2024, while Apple Intelligence, iOS 18 might have been the headline acts, Apple did unveil some interesting features coming to AirPods. During the keynote, Apple revealed that AirPods software updates will change the way users respond to Siri, take calls with friends and enhance gaming.

Siri Interactions will allow AirPods Pro users to privately respond to Siri with a simple head nod yes or shake no. This will come in handy when users are in crowded or quiet areas where they may not want to speak out loud. Enabled by machine learning on the H2 chip, Siri Interactions allow users to answer or dismiss calls, interact with messages, manage notifications, and so much more — all without speaking.

For even clearer call quality, Voice Isolation comes to AirPods Pro, helping ensure the caller’s voice is heard in loud or windy environments. Machine learning, running on the H2 chip in AirPods Pro and the paired iPhone, iPad, or Mac, isolates and enhances voice quality while removing significant background noise — like wind around the caller — for the listener.

For gaming, Apple is reducing audio latency and adding Personalised Spatial Audio. Personalised Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking will be available for gaming across AirPods (3rd generation), AirPods Pro, and AirPods Max. AirPods Pro users can also enjoy improved voice quality, including 16-bit, 48kHz audio, when chatting with teammates and other players.

AirPods Pro users will be able to simply nod their head yes or gently shake their head no to respond to Siri announcements,