A ruling by the FDA last year allows consumers to buy hearing aids from retail stores (like a pharmacy) without an exam or prescription. Gurman writes that Apple has hired engineers from “traditional” hearing aid firms to help move the AirPods into this sector. Not only could it help generate additional sales for the AirPods, it would place it squarely in the health industry which is a business segment that Apple is very high on.
The next generation AirPods could be released in 2025
As for measuring the body temperature of an AirPods user, Apple is working on adding sensors to the device to help it measure a person’s temperature via the ear canal. Besides being used for fertility reasons, this feature could help users determine if they are getting ill.
Additionally, Apple is reportedly considering adding cheaper AirPods to the line. And with the Vision Pro spatial computer arriving in 2024, Apple will be looking for ways to connect the headset with the earbuds for a more immersive user experience.
The upcoming iOS 17 release will also add new features for the AirPods including a mute/unmute button on calls, and it will improve how a user can switch which device is paired to a pair of AirPods. This fall, Adaptive Audio will allow the second-gen AirPods Pro to automatically switch between noise cancellation mode and transparency mode. The former blocks ambient noise from being heard and the latter allows ambient noise through. The change will be based on the condition of the user’s environment to select which of the two modes will be in use at a precise moment.
