Key Takeaways
- According to Apple, iOS 18.1 will be accessible the following week.
- For users of AirPods Pro 2, it will have both Apple Intelligence and a feature for hearing aids.
- The AirPods’ ability to hear might make them a good substitute for prescription equipment.
Apple has announced that iOS 18.1 will be available the following week and will have the promised AirPods Pro 2 hearing aids in addition to Apple Intelligence.
When the software update is released in the coming days, TechCrunch and other media outlets that tested the hearing aid capabilities beforehand confirmed that it was in its “final form.”
The FDA approved the AirPods Pro 2 update a few days after Apple hinted at it during its September iPhone 16 event. The function effectively transforms the wireless earbuds into clinical-grade, over-the-counter hearing aids. The AirPods can automatically amplify conversations while reducing background noise after you’ve completed a hearing test on your iPhone (if your damage is severe, you may need to have a test done in person).
In the US, it is currently available to purchase prescription-free hearing aids, including models from well-known brands like Bose. However, the AirPods Pro 2 are among the most well-liked earbuds available, and at $249, they are reasonably priced even when compared to certain off-the-shelf options.
The AI features of iOS 18.1 will be the primary draw for most people. Although the initial version will only contain a portion of what Apple promised at WWDC in June, it will have useful features like writing tools, an object removal tool in Photos, notification summaries, and a version of Siri that can respond to typed or stumbling commands.
Until the end of the year or 2025, most of the significant upgrades—like a fully context-aware Siri and ChatGPT integration—are not anticipated.
Critics and analysts have expressed concern that Apple may have lost sales as a result of Apple Intelligence’s absence at the iPhone 16 launch. Although early third-quarter projections are more optimistic, it is clear that Apple intends to release iOS 18.1 as soon as possible to meet demand. Hard-of-hearing persons who wish to save money may find the iPhone and AirPods Pro 2 more enticing due to their compatibility with hearing aids.
