Apple has just officially announced that the final version of iOS 18.1 will be released next week, likely accompanied by a Release Candidate (RC) version today. Additionally, there will be a significant firmware update for the AirPods Pro 2.
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A Busy Week Ahead
According to two American outlets, The Verge and The Wall Street Journal, Apple confirmed that next week will see the launch of new health features for the AirPods Pro 2 along with the iOS 18.1 update. This marks the first official confirmation that the update will roll out next week.
Eliminating October 31 (due to earnings results) and November 1, the likely release dates are Monday, October 28, Tuesday, October 29, or Wednesday, October 30. Mark Gurman of Bloomberg speculates that Monday might be the day, considering Apple’s usual scheduling. It will indeed be a hectic week, as Apple is also set to unveil its first Mac M4 computers!
What’s New in iOS 18.1
For those in the USA (the only ones with access to Apple Intelligence), the update includes some minor improvements to Siri, better understanding of user requests, introduction of first writing tools, summary functions/suggested replies for Messages, Mail, and other apps, a new cleanup tool in the Photos app (which can remove unwanted people or objects from photos and use generative AI to fill in the background), the ability to create a Memories movie in Photos through a simple prompt, recording and transcribing phone calls, and a new focus mode.
Other features will be released bi-monthly. Image Playground, Genmojis, and ChatGPT are set for release with iOS 18.2 in December. The much-anticipated intelligent Siri is expected in March with iOS 18.4, which should be finalized internally by early February.
What About the AirPods Pro 2?
This fall, the AirPods Pro 2 are enhancing health capabilities, introducing an active noise reduction feature (“Loud Sound Reduction”), a scientifically validated hearing test, and a “Medical-grade Hearing Aid” option. Similarly, the AirPods 4 will also receive some improvements.
The California-based company is implementing a three-pronged policy: prevention, detection, and support. These themes are reflected in the new features offered. Reminding us of the World Health Organization’s statistics (over 1.5 billion people globally suffer from hearing loss), Apple cites years of work in hearing health, including the Noise app on Apple Watch, headphone audio levels on iPhone, accessibility features for hearing, and the Apple Hearing Study.
A major new feature is this scientifically validated hearing test as Apple informs us. Practically, it involves a test that can be done at home in a few minutes using AirPods Pro and a compatible iPhone or iPad. It utilizes tonal audiometry, and the results are displayed in a simple summary. These are privately and securely stored in the Health app, though they can be shared with a doctor.
The AirPods Pro 2 will also offer support for individuals with less than optimal hearing. After taking the Hearing Test, users can customize their listening experience with the AirPods Pro through their hearing profile. Adjustments made (such as emphasizing certain frequencies) can also be activated for music listening and phone conversations.
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