Rumors of each the AirPods 3 and AirPods Pro 2 have gone quiet not too long ago, however Apple itself has hinted that new health monitoring capabilities may come to the wi-fi earbud household.
In a TechCrunch interview, Apple’s vice chairman of expertise Kevin Lynch stated there was ‘potential’ for the AirPods to discover sensor fusion: the method of mixing sensor knowledge from a number of gadgets, just like the iPhone 12 and Apple Watch, to offer extra correct health monitoring and well being knowledge.
When requested if AirPods may very well be included on this system as nicely, Lynch stated: “We already do sensor fusion throughout some gadgets in the present day, and I feel there’s all types of potential right here.”
While onboard well being monitoring may very well be a part of the AirPods 3, it’s much more probably that sensor fusion may very well be an integral a part of the AirPods Pro 2. Unlike the usual, current-gen Apple AirPods, the AirPods Pro earbuds are already geared up with motion-sensing accelerometers and gyroscopes — as is the AirPods Max. Bloomberg has additionally reported that the AirPods Pro 2 will feature improved sensors and a renewed focus on fitness tracking.
Sensor fusion assist for the AirPods Pro 2, or certainly any AirPods, would neatly tie in with the brand new well being options in iOS 15. These embody the power to watch strolling steadiness, together with your recorded strolling knowledge supposedly in a position to assist your physician decide in the event you’re vulnerable to falling.
With the Beats Studio Buds providing active noise cancellation for lower than the most affordable AirPods mannequin, Apple may be in search of new methods to present its ‘Pro’ earbuds an edge. Fitness monitoring instruments is perhaps one technique to tempt customers to the extra premium AirPods, as an alternative of counting on purely audio-focused options like lively noise-cancellation.
Still, the AirPods Pro 2 isn’t anticipated to launch till 2022, so Apple may nonetheless merely be exploring the idea. The AirPods 3 appears much more imminent, even when it’s set to be a much less superior set of buds.
