AirPods Pro just got a huge upgrade in iOS 14 — meet spatial audio

By Mike Prospero
published

The AirPods Pro will deliver a 3D-like soundscape with the addition of spatial audio support

AirPods Pro spatial audio
(Image credit: Apple)

Apple's AirPods Pro are already some of the best wireless earbuds around, and they're about to get even better. Apple announced several new features for its premium buds, including spatial audio and support for Dolby Atmos, giving you a more theater-like experience right in your ears.

During Its WWDC 2020 keynote—which also the introduction of iOS 14, iPadOS, and watchOS 7—Apple showed several new features coming to the AirPods Pro. 

Spatial audio uses algorithms, plus the gyroscope and other sensors in the AirPods Pro, to sense how you're moving your head, and to adjust how audio is delivered to your ears. So, if you're listening to something with an audio source that's "in front" of you, and you turn your head, the sound will then be louder in your ear that's closer to the action. In addition, the AirPods Pro will also support Dolby Atmos.

This should be a key feature, especially as Apple dives deeper into augmented reality. 

Another update to the AirPods Pro — and one key for those who have multiple Apple devices — is automatic switching. So, if you're listening to a podcast on your phone, but then move over to your Mac to watch a movie, the AirPods Pro will automatically switch to your laptop as the source. This will work with iPods and the Apple Watch, too. 

Mike Prospero
Mike Prospero
U.S. Editor-in-Chief, Tom's Guide

Michael A. Prospero is the U.S. Editor-in-Chief for Tom’s Guide. He oversees all evergreen content and oversees the Homes, Smart Home, and Fitness/Wearables categories for the site. In his spare time, he also tests out the latest drones, electric scooters, and smart home gadgets, such as video doorbells. Before his tenure at Tom's Guide, he was the Reviews Editor for Laptop Magazine, a reporter at Fast Company, the Times of Trenton, and, many eons back, an intern at George magazine. He received his undergraduate degree from Boston College, where he worked on the campus newspaper The Heights, and then attended the Columbia University school of Journalism. When he’s not testing out the latest running watch, electric scooter, or skiing or training for a marathon, he’s probably using the latest sous vide machine, smoker, or pizza oven, to the delight — or chagrin — of his family.