Capacitive buttons discovered on AirPods 4, hearing aid function approved on Pro 2

Apple’s new AirPods 4, which are also available with active noise cancellation (ANC), have a new charging case. It not only has a new form factor, but also a hidden button. This is what visitors learned from an Apple journalist and analyst on Monday.

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A pusher you can’t see

The charging case is the smallest and lightest Apple has ever made for AirPods. Still, it has a USB-C port and an integrated speaker so you can find it quickly using the “Where is it?” function. However, what seems to be missing at first glance is a button to reset or connect the plug to a device. This is usually very easy on the iPhone: you just have to hold the AirPods to the device and the connection dialog will appear. With other systems, however, the button is necessary for configuration.

But Apple hasn’t forgotten this. Instead it was in the form of a capacitive surface Integrated directly below the status LED. Pairing mode is apparently triggered by a double tap when the charging case is open. A reset should also be possible via the capacitive surface – it is currently unclear how exactly. The LED is only visible when the lid is opened. Apple will sell the AirPods 4 in both model variants from September 20. The version without ANC costs 149 euros, the version with ANC costs 50 euros more.

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AirPods Pro 2: Hearing aid function approved

In the meantime, there is good news for AirPods Pro 2 users: they can be used as hearing aids in the future. Relevant approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Available Now. It has previously been described as “over the counter” software (ie over-the-counter software) that can be used as a hearing aid.

It is believed to work for “mild to moderate” hearing loss. Apple is also providing a hearing test for the AirPods Pro 2, which will be part of iOS. The group previously conducted a hearing study. The hearing aid will come to existing devices using firmware – which will hopefully be distributed immediately – and will not cost anything extra. This function should also be available in Europe.

(B.Sc.)