AirPods Pro 2 fitness tracking features teased by Apple exec

AirPods Pro 2 fitness tracking features teased past Apple exec

(Image credit: Future)

Rumors of both the AirPods 3 and AirPods Pro 2 have gone tranquillity recently, but Apple itself has hinted that new fettle tracking capabilities could come up to the wireless earbud family.

In a TechCrunch interview, Apple's vice president of technology Kevin Lynch said there was "potential" for the AirPods to explore sensor fusion: the procedure of combining sensor data from multiple devices, similar the iPhone 12 and Apple Watch, to provide more accurate fitness tracking and health information.

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When asked if AirPods could be included in this arrangement too, Lynch said: "We already do sensor fusion beyond some devices today, and I retrieve there'southward all kinds of potential here."

While onboard wellness monitoring could be part of the AirPods three, information technology's fifty-fifty more than likely that sensor fusion could be an integral function of the AirPods Pro two. Unlike the standard, current-gen Apple tree AirPods, the AirPods Pro earbuds are already equipped with move-sensing accelerometers and gyroscopes — as is the AirPods Max. Bloomberg has also reported that the AirPods Pro 2 will feature improved sensors and a renewed focus on fitness tracking.

Sensor fusion back up for the AirPods Pro ii, or indeed any AirPods, would neatly tie in with the new health features in iOS xv. These include the ability to monitor walking steadiness, with your recorded walking data supposedly able to help your physician determine if you're at hazard of falling.

With the Beats Studio Buds offer active noise counterfoil for less than the cheapest AirPods model, Apple tree may likewise be looking for new ways to requite its 'Pro' earbuds an border. Fitness tracking tools might exist i way to tempt consumers to the more premium AirPods, instead of relying on purely sound-focused features like active noise-cancellation.

However, the AirPods Pro 2 isn't expected to launch until 2022, and then Apple could still simply be exploring the concept. The AirPods 3 looks a lot more imminent, even if it's set up to be a less avant-garde gear up of buds.

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James is currently Hardware Editor at Rock Paper Shotgun, only before that was Audio Editor at Tom'south Guide, where he covered headphones, speakers, soundbars and anything else that intentionally makes noise. A PC enthusiast, he too wrote computing and gaming news for TG, commonly relating to how difficult information technology is to observe graphics carte stock.