AirPods Pro 3 aren’t here yet, nor are a proper AirPods Max 2, but this was a solid year for AirPods anyways thanks to AirPods 4 and some strong software updates. One of my favorite new features this year, however, should have its biggest impact in the months ahead when iOS 18.4 launches.

My favorite new AirPods feature: Siri Interactions

Like it’s done every year since AirPods Pro 2 first debuted, Apple introduced several new software upgrades for its wireless earbuds this year.

iOS 18 and 18.1 introduced the following features:

• Voice Isolation: Improves calls in noisy environments.
• Siri Interactions: Nod or shake your head to respond to Siri.
• Hearing Health: Hearing Test, Hearing Aid, and Hearing Protection.
• Personalized Spatial Audio: Apple made this better, though details are unclear.

Undoubtedly the most transformative upgrade this year is the hearing health trio of features. But my personal favorite has been Siri Interactions, which is supported on AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4.

I love how Apple built such perfect audio cues to indicate it’s registering 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 works great when talking to ChatGPT via Siri too.

But as much as I’ve already been enjoying Siri Interactions, they’re set to have their biggest impact in iOS 18.4.

iOS 18.4 promises intelligent Siri to spark more daily use

Apple is planning for this spring’s iOS 18.4 release to focus on big Siri improvements.

Here’s what’s coming:

• Take actions in apps and across them: Voice computing will actually start to be a thing when Siri can perform hundreds of new app actions.
• Personal context knowledge: Siri will act like a real assistant in that it will be able to answer requests based on personal info about you, such as details on your calendar, texts you’ve received, podcasts you’ve listened to, and more.
• Onscreen awareness: Whatever you’re looking at on your screen, Siri will be able to take action on.

The promise of iOS 18.4 is that it will make Siri the sort of intelligent assistant we’ve all hoped for, but never had before.

If Apple can deliver on that promise, everyday use of Siri is bound to increase, and the new Siri Interactions feature will grow 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.

Source: 9to5mac