The AirPods Pro 3 aren’t here yet, nor are the true AirPods Max 2, but it was still a fantastic year for AirPods thanks to the AirPods 4 and some major software updates. However, one of my favorite new features this year will have its biggest impact in the coming months, when iOS 18. 4 is released.
As has been the case every year since the launch of the AirPods Pro 2, Apple brought several new software updates for its wireless earbuds this year.
iOS 18 and 18.1 introduced the following features:
This year’s most revolutionary update is the trio of hearing conditioning features. But my favorite is Siri Interactions, which is compatible with AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4.
I love how Apple created the best audio cues to imply that it’s recording your head movements.
The feature has been a great addition when I’m walking the city and want to minimize my voice interactions with Siri.
It also works wonders when talking to ChatGPT Siri.
But while I’ve already enjoyed Siri’s interactions, they deserve to have their biggest impact in iOS 18. 4.
Apple is planning for this spring’s iOS 18.4 release to focus on big Siri improvements.
Here’s what’s coming:
The promise of iOS 18. 4 is that it will turn Siri into the kind of smart assistant that everyone expected, but never had before.
If Apple can deliver on this promise, daily use of Siri will increase, and the new Siri Interactions feature will be more crucial.
We’re getting closer to a Her-like future, with a more capable digital assistant simply a ‘Siri’ away.
As a result, AirPods and features like non-verbal Siri Interactions will combine to be among the best ways to take advantage of Siri’s new intelligence.
Have you used Siri interactions on your AirPods? Which iOS 18. 4 update are you most excited about? Let us know in the comments.
Check out 9to5Mac on YouTube for more Apple news:
Ryan got his start in journalism as an editor at MacStories, where he worked for 4 years covering Apple news, writing app reviews, and more. For two years, he co-hosted the Adapt podcast on Relay FM, totally faithful to the iPad. So it’s no surprise that his favorite Apple device is the iPad Pro.