WWDC 2025: AirPods to Get Head Gestures, Camera Control, and Sleep Detection Features

WWDC 2025 is just around the corner, and while the spotlight will be on next-gen operating systems, exciting updates for AirPods are also on the horizon. According to recent reports, Apple is set to unveil several new features for its audio lineup, including the AirPods Pro 2 and the AirPods 4. Here's what to expect -

AirPods Pro 2, AirPods 4 To Get New Features

New Head Gestures

According to 9to5Mac, Apple is currently testing five new features for the AirPods Pro 2 and the AirPods 4. The company is reportedly working on new head gestures, including extending a Conversation Awareness volume adjustment. It will let users use a head gesture to end a Conversation Awareness volume adjustment-something that currently requires pressing and holding the AirPods stem or swiping up on it.

Sleep Auto-pause

Apple is also expected to bring a Sleep auto-pause feature, which aims to detect when a user has fallen asleep while wearing their AirPods, automatically pausing audio playback. However, it's still unclear whether this functionality will be built into the AirPods themselves or if it will rely on integration with the Apple Watch, which already includes sleep tracking.

Camera Control

Apple is reportedly gearing up to introduce camera control functionality for AirPods, which is a long-requested feature reminiscent of the old EarPods. According to 9to5Mac, users will soon be able to trigger the iPhone or iPad camera with a simple press on the AirPods stem.

Audio Mix

In addition, the tech giant is working on a "studio-quality" microphone mode for AirPods, inspired by the Audio Mix feature launched last year with the iPhone 16. Audio Mix uses machine learning to isolate background sounds from speech, giving users the option to choose from three voice profiles: In-frame, Studio, and Cinematic.

Wider Classroom Support

Lastly, the brand is also focusing on improving the AirPods pairing experience in shared iPad environments-particularly in educational settings where devices are used by multiple students. The goal is to make AirPods pairing with iPadOS smoother and more intuitive, reducing the need for manual reconnections and streamlining the overall user experience.

WWDC 2025 - Dates, Timing

The WWDC 2025 is scheduled to take place from June 9 to June 13 at Apple Park in Cupertino, California. It will start with a keynote session led by Apple CEO Tim Cook at 9 am PT (10 pm IST) on June 9, which will highlight significant updates and changes across Apple's operating systems.

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