AirPods Pro Conversation Boost Is Now in Beta

The public release is planned for fall 2021

By
Rob Rich
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Rob Rich
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  • College for Creative Studies
Rob is a freelance tech reporter with experience writing for a variety of outlets, including IGN, Unwinnable, 148Apps, Gamezebo, Pocket Gamer, Fanbolt, Zam, and more.
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Updated on August 5, 2021 03:57PM EDT
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Rich Scherr
Rich Scherr
Fact checked by Rich Scherr
  • University of Maryland Baltimore County
Rich Scherr is a seasoned technology and financial journalist who spent nearly two decades as the editor of Potomac and Bay Area Tech Wire.
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Apple on Thursday released a beta version of its "Conversation Boost" feature for AirPods Pro, with a public release planned for later this year.

Conversation Boost for AirPods Pro was given a brief mention back in June during Apple's WWDC 2021, but now you can test it out for yourself for the full effect. This new feature is meant to make conversations easier for people with mild hearing impairments to follow.

AirPods Pro on a gray background

Dr. Nick Stafford / Pixabay

Conversation Boost utilizes the beaming microphones used in AirPods Pro along with computational audio to focus on and enhance the person speaking in front of you. Ambient Noise Reduction also is used to drown out potentially distracting background sounds that could make understanding the conversation more challenging.

New software for AirPods Pro will let you turn Conversation Boost on or off as you see fit, as well as adjust the amount of ambient noise reduction you want. You can also adjust the balance more to the left or right, depending on your needs at any given time.

Conversation Boost control panel

Apple

If you're interested in testing out either Conversation Boost or AirPods Pro beta software, and you have an Apple Developer account, you can do so through the Apple Developer website. It's important to note that the software is still in beta, so there might be some bugs or other issues that have yet to be worked out.

If you'd rather not risk installing software that's still in beta, or if you don't have an Apple Developer account, Conversation Boost should see a public release this fall.

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