Apple AirPods May Get New Gestures Sleep Detection and Camera Control

As Apple prepares for its annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) on June 9, anticipation is building around potential updates to its AirPods lineup. According to a recent report by 9to5Mac, citing an unnamed source, Apple may introduce several significant new features that could transform how users interact with their AirPods.

One of the standout rumored features is an expansion of gesture controls. Last year, Apple introduced head gestures allowing users to nod or shake their heads to accept or dismiss calls. The upcoming update might add a conversational awareness volume adjustment gesture, enabling users to control audio volume simply by head movements instead of pressing or swiping the AirPods stem.

Another intriguing possibility is sleep detection. This feature would automatically pause music or podcasts when the user falls asleep while wearing AirPods. Whether this will function independently or integrate with Apple Watch’s sleep tracking remains unclear, but it represents a thoughtful enhancement for users who enjoy audio content before bedtime.

Apple may also introduce camera control via AirPods. By clicking the AirPods stem, users could access their iPhone or iPad camera, offering a hands-free way to snap photos or start video recordings. This innovation could open new possibilities for remote photography and video capture.

Audio Mix, a feature debuted with the iPhone 16, might also come to AirPods. Utilizing machine learning, Audio Mix separates background noise from speech, enhancing audio clarity. This would add a new mode alongside the existing In-frame, Studio, and Cinematic voice options, refining the listening experience in noisy environments.

Finally, the report suggests an improved pairing experience for shared iPads. This could reduce manual steps, making it easier for multiple users to connect their AirPods seamlessly—a welcome upgrade for families and shared device environments.

While these features sound promising, Apple may choose to delay or modify some before the WWDC keynote. Whether we see a full rollout or a phased introduction remains to be seen, but the potential for enhanced user interaction and convenience is clear.

For developers and tech enthusiasts, these rumored AirPods upgrades highlight Apple's continued focus on intuitive, gesture-based controls and smarter device integration. They also underscore the growing role of machine learning in personal audio experiences.