iOS 12.2 Beta Hints at Hands-Free Siri for Upcoming AirPods
A hidden screen discovered in the iOS 12.2 beta suggests that Apple is preparing to bring "Hey Siri" functionality to the next generation of AirPods. This upgrade addresses a major limitation of the current earbuds.
A hidden screen discovered in the iOS 12.2 beta strongly suggests that Apple is bringing hands-free "Hey Siri" support to a new generation of AirPods. Currently, users must double-tap the earbuds to activate the virtual assistant, unlike other Apple devices that simply listen for the wake phrase. This newly uncovered prompt specifically instructs users on how to talk to Siri using their AirPods by saying the familiar wake words.
The absence of this feature in the first-generation AirPods primarily stems from battery life constraints. Apple previously solved the power draw issue for iPhones by utilizing a low-power always-on processor, but replicating this in a tiny earbud with a 93 milliwatt-hour battery presents a massive engineering challenge. Overcoming this hurdle represents a significant technical milestone for Apple's audio hardware division.
While this hidden screen confirms the upcoming voice activation feature, rumors point to additional upgrades for the AirPods sequel. Whispers within the tech community suggest that the new earbuds could also include waterproofing and built-in health sensors. However, developers have not yet found any hidden software prompts within the beta to verify those speculated hardware improvements.