AirPods Firmware Update 3A283 Brings 3D Spatial Audio to AirPods Pro

Airpods pro spatial audio

Apple today released an update for its AirPods and AirPods Pro, introducing the new 3A283 firmware update, ahead of its special event tomorrow (via MacRumors).

The 3A283 update adds the new Spatial Audio feature for AirPods Pro, along with Automatic Switching.

3D Spatial Audio brings a surround-style audio feature to your AirPods Pro, simulating a movie theatre experience. Spatial Audio automatically recalibrates audio based on the position of your head.

In order to update your AirPods and AirPods Pro to the latest firmware, pop your headphones into the charging case and place them next to your test device running iOS 14, and the firmware update should automatically install in the background.

You can check your AirPods or AirPods Pro firmware by going to Settings > Bluetooth > Your AirPods Pro > tap the “i” icon > Version.

After updating our AirPods Pro to this update, testing out Spatial Audio is pretty awesome, especially when watching Greyhound within Apple TV+. Turning your head left and right will keep audio coming from the ‘centre’ audio channel in front of you. It’s really weird and cool.

Apple explains the feature as, “hear immersive three dimensional audio from supported videos that follows the movement of your iPhone.” The feature works with either Noise Cancellation on or Transparency mode.

You’ll be able to turn on/off Spatial Audio through Control Center for your AirPods Pro. This is a really cool feature worth buying AirPods Pro for.

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