CUPERTINO, Calif.—At WWDC 2023 today, Apple announced that it will be adding adaptive audio, combining active noise cancellation and transparency modes based on the noises in the wearer's environment, to the second-generation AirPods Pro. This and a couple other other machine learning-based features are coming this fall via a software update.

Apple touted the upcoming Adaptive Audio update as a way to use AirPods Pro with fewer distractions. It uses machine learning so it can detect noises you would want to block out, like cars honking, but not the ones you would want to hear, like someone speaking to you in real life.

Apple will also add what it's calling Personalized Volume, so AirPods Pro can make automatic volume adjustments based on how you use the device and "environmental conditions," Apple said.

Third, and like some competing earbuds already have, the second-gen AirPods Pro will soon be able to detect when you have started speaking and automatically reduce the earbuds' volume, while boosting the volume of background noise and increasing the volume of the voice of the person in front of you.

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Apple said AirPods will also become better at automatically switching its source device, claiming it would now be faster than ever to move from a Mac to an iPhone with the AirPods.

Another feature Apple's adding that's been present on rival audio gear for ages is the ability for users to mute and unmute themselves by touching the hardware. Starting this fall, people using the first and second-gen AirPods Pro, the third-gen AirPods, and the AirPods Max will be able to mute and unmute themselves by pressing the earbuds' stem or, in the case of the AirPods max, the so-called Digital Crown (on the left earcup).

Apple also quickly announced some AirPlay updates. The company said on-device intelligence will soon be able to learn user preferences. And in another seemingly obvious feature, Apple's also adding the ability to start an AirPlay session, like on a HomePod, via Siri. The Cupertino tech giant will also bring AirPlay to some hotels later this year (it didn't specify when or where exactly). Guests will be able to scan a QR code in their hotel room, which will bring up AirPlay on the hotel room's TV.

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