Apple’s Health-focused Future: Rumors of AirPods Software Update and Hearing Aid Mode with iOS 18

AirPods may receive a significant software update with the launch of iOS 18, according to rumors. Apple has been focusing on health and wellness with its products, including heart health with the Apple Watch, mobility features like walking steadiness-detection on the iPhone, and safety features such as fall detection and emergency SOS. The AirPods could potentially become another key product for Apple in this domain.

There have been recent discussions about the upcoming AirPods on a recent episode of One More Thing, including speculation about a potential hearing aid mode that could be launched with iOS 18. While there have been rumors of AirPods receiving additional sensors such as an EEG for detecting brain activity in the past, no such sensor has been seen yet. However, other earbuds like the Sennheiser Momentum Sport already offer these features.

Integrating health sensors into AirPods could be beneficial for users looking for an affordable entry point into Apple’s wearable line. While some patents filed by Apple in the past do not seem to have come to fruition yet, their exploration of turning wearables into comprehensive health tools is promising. This shift from entertainment and second-screen devices to health-focused tools demonstrates Apple’s commitment to enhancing the health and wellness capabilities of its products.

Overall, while there is still uncertainty around what specific updates will be included in iOS 18 and whether or not AirPods will receive a major update along with it, it’s clear that Apple continues to focus on improving its products’ health capabilities.