In the past two weeks now, I have tried as many new features that I can find with the beta version of the iOS 26 developer. For example, I already explained the first thing I did after checking the new software glass design. Shortly after, I checked Carplay’s new experience to see what is new and different with Apple’s automotive infotainment system.
The next thing on my list has been to try the new AirPods features included with the iOS 26 update. Given how Apple AirPods are some of the best wireless headphones on the market, it is not surprising that the company seeks to add capacities that make them even more useful in different situations.
I was able to test some of these new features with the beta version of iOS 26, but I am always confused by a thing that Apple has not added – the possibility of using the AirPods as a wireless microphone system. Honestly, I am disconcerted because it seems to be a brain -free addition given the other Apple things has Introduced with beta software.
For example, you can now use AirPods to control the way you take photos and videos on your iPhone by simply tightening on their rods. I tested this exact feature on my iPhone 16 Pro Max with the firmware version 8A293C on my AirPods Pro 2. During video recording, I can use these commands to start and stop the remote records.
When you shoot as many videos as I am, this feature is useful because I can put my iPhone on a tripod, then shoot a video of myself from a distance using its rear cameras as opposed to that front. I hear the usual start -up tone on my airpods which indicates that a recording started, then the tone of the stop recording when I finished.
Again, this is a practical feature, but Apple lacks the ball by transforming the airpods into a wireless microphone that can be used for better audio quality because it is on me – and therefore better to pick up my voice. When I start a video recording using these new gestures, audio recording is always via my iPhone, so it seems remote because I am more distant.
I do not understand why Apple does not make this addition, because it would only do with airpods for shooters and creators. With the beta iOS 26 software, Apple says that the AirPods get an audio recording of “Studio quality”. I can certainly say that the firmware update improves my audio quality because I tried this outside the city with a telephone call to a friend.
They could not hear all the background noise that was around me, like the sounds of strong horns of taxis and other traffic disorders. Knowing that microphones provide better results with the audio, you would think that it could also be applied to video recording – but this is not the case, and I think it is a missed opportunity.
I hope that the AirPods will win this feature in the next iOS 26 updates, simply because it could replace my existing DJI Mici system that I use. Apple can certainly have a big impact if the AirPods could act effectively like wireless microphones when recording the video with an iPhone.
In fact, it would be even better that Apple offers a lanyard attachment that could attach an airpod to your shirt. This could also improve audio for interviews in order to divide the audio into two separate tracks, because two AirPods would be used as a audio source. Given the popularity of the AirPods for listening to music, they could also change the situation with video recording.
What is interesting is that you can technically use AirPods as a wireless microphone with an iPhone, but only via third -party cameras like Filmic Pro and Blackmagic Camera. At the same time, I suspect that these camera applications would not have access to the same audio recording of “Studio quality”.
I hope that Apple sees this great opportunity and takes the time to add it in time for the final version of iOS 26 this fall with the launch of the iPhone 17.
