Adaptive Transparency is a new feature that everyone thought would be exclusive to purchasers of the new AirPods Pro 2 that were announced at the Far Out event in September 2022. But the latest iOS 16.1 beta that hit developers has a checkbox that enables this feature for owners of the OG AirPods Pro.
Adaptive Transparency enables AirPods Pro owners to hear external sound while listening to moves, podcasts or music. Unlike Transparency Mode which lets pretty much all external sound through, Adaptive Transparency blocks out especially loud and intrusive sounds.
Apple says:
Transparency mode makes it possible for listeners to stay connected to and aware of the world around them. Now, Adaptive Transparency takes this customer-loved feature even further. The powerful H2 chip enables on-device processing, which reduces loud environmental noise — like a passing vehicle siren, construction tools, or even loud speakers at a concert — for more comfortable everyday listening.
Apple
But it seems that the H2 chip is not an essential part of this feature. Unless, of course, the checkbox disappears in a future beta or the final release. Which means the checkbox is probably one of the fun parts of using beta versions of software.
[Original sources: iMore, MacRumors who all found it via Reddit]
Anthony is the founder of Australian Apple News. He is a long-time Apple user and former editor of Australian Macworld. He has contributed to many technology magazines and newspapers as well as appearing regularly on radio and occasionally on TV.