Apple has introduced the rollout of a firmware replace for the 2nd-gen AirPods Professional, however as with earlier updates, we don’t know what’s in it. Nevertheless it might embrace a repair for a nagging audio downside that has affected some customers.
(Replace 11/10: Apple has additionally rolled out the firmware replace to the AirPods and AirPods Max.)
As of November 8, model 5B58 is obtainable for the brand new AirPods Professional solely, with the earlier Professional fashions, the AirPods Max, and each the 2nd- and Third-gen customary AirPods all remaining on 4E71. All Apple reveals within the launch notes is that 5B58 comprises “Bug fixes and different enhancements.” The AirPods Professional 2 additionally acquired a firmware replace (5A377) days earlier than they arrived in shops.
Whereas it’s considerably uncommon to launch a firmware replace for a single mannequin, the dearth of element will not be uncommon. Not like updates for iOS and macOS, Apple’s AirPods firmware updates hardly ever disclose a lot details about what’s modified; the earlier 5A377 model had precisely the identical single-line launch notes, as does the 4E71 nonetheless run by the opposite fashions. For one motive or one other, iOS and macOS updates have change into a part of the promote Apple makes use of to excite customers about their iPhones and Macs, whereas AirPods firmware updates are slipped out quietly in response to fixes the corporate would quite not speak about.
One such bug which may be the main focus for 5B58 is the so-called “audio drift” that some house owners of the 2nd-gen AirPods Professional complained about on Reddit final month (through 9to5Mac). Customers complained of sudden and sudden shifts in quantity and felt they could be associated to noise cancellation on the brand new headphones. It’s not clear, nevertheless, whether or not 5B58 both makes an attempt or succeeds in fixing this downside. One respondent on the Reddit thread claimed the 5B5040c beta (an earlier construct of the 5B58 public launch) “appears to repair the problem.”
Some customers complained that energetic noise cancellation on their AirPods Max was much less efficient after the newest 4E71 replace. It’s not clear whether or not the AirPods Professional firmware replace has the identical impact.
AirPods updates are delivered robotically when the system is charging and close to your iPhone or iPad. You may examine your present firmware model by going to Settings, then Basic, About, and AirPods.