The iOS 12.2 beta confirms the next AirPods have a built-in Hey Siri feature

A setup card in the iOS 12.2 beta confirms Apple’s working on a new AirPods version with a built-in Hey Siri that could launch around iOS 12.2’s release in a matter of few weeks.

As discovered by 9to5Mac, the beta includes a new setup card not found in earlier iOS editions which informs the user that they can use Hey Siri with their AirPods or iPhone.

When pairing the yet to be released AirPods, the user will be asked to set up Hey Siri just like it can be set up for other devices such as iPhones and iPads. This training configures AirPods to respond to only the user’s voice and not the voice of other people.

While you can use Siri with your AirPods today, you must double-tap on your earbud in order to invoke the smart assistant on your connected iOS device.

AirPods 2 will make double-tapping to invoke Siri a thing of the past.

iOS 12.2 should bring Hey Siri recognition to the earbuds themselves.

The main difference from using Hey Siri with these new AirPods will be that the earbuds themselves will do the recognition, sending the command to the paired device.

In other words, while iPhone connectivity will still be required, users will now be permitted to ask Siri questions without having to double-tap on their earbud.

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Apple is rumored to be working on health-tracking AirPods that should arrive sometime in the first half of 2019. Apparently, they’ll include Hey Siri recognition and, if earlier rumors are an indication, other improvements like sweat resistance and wireless charging.

Revered Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has predicted that 2020 will bring a notable AirPods overhaul with noise cancellation and sweat resistance.

So, who’s looking forward to AirPods 2?

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