We have been hearing about AirPods Pro 2
. However, it will probably be necessary to wait until the end of the year to see the tips of their headphones. But new information from Ming-Chi Kuo is helping us understand what is taking Apple engineers so long.
Now that the lossless is de rigueur on Apple Music, it is inconceivable for the company to release “Pro” wireless headphones that do not support this standard. However, the Bluetooth technology on which current headphones are based does not offer sufficient bandwidth to take advantage of it properly.
The first ALAC compatible headphones
According to a note by Ming-Chi Kuo to which Apple Insider and 9to5Mac were able to access, it appears that the second generation AirPods Pro will indeed support the Apple Lossless Audio Codec (ALAC). This codec is of very high quality and preserves all the details of the sound, but it requires a huge bandwidth, which even the expensive AirPods Max cannot support.
We therefore understand that to offer sound lossless on wireless headphones, Apple’s R&D department has to rack its brains. Two scenarios are possible. In the first, the firm would quite simply give up Bluetooth to move towards a proprietary solution. We will have to see to what extent this choice will allow the AirPods Pro 2 to be used on devices from another brand.
The second option is more witchcraft. In an interview with What Hi-Fi, Apple’s president of acoustics, Gary Geaves, admitted that the company was going to have to go above and beyond to ” making the most of bluetooth technology “, While conceding that there was” many tips to overcome or bypass the limits of Bluetooth “. However, magical thinking is not enough. Ideally, Geaves agrees, would be higher bandwidth.
A charging case easier to find
Less impressive, but still notable: The AirPods Pro 2 charging case could emit sound, Kuo points out.
Don’t imagine being able to play music from just the headphone box. In reality, this feature will simply make it easier to find it if it is lost. Like an AirTag, the box can either emit a sound through speakers, or vibrate at very high frequencies to help you locate it in space. To do this, all you have to do is use the Locate application available on the iDevices and select the appropriate option.
Finally, the analyst confirms some of the predictions of Bloomberg in favor of a new design and functionalities geared towards fitness.
Sources: The verge
, What Hi-Fi
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