Apple’s iOS 13 will be released in the fall of this year, but its followers are already agog over the new wireless audio-sharing feature. The company introduced the latest operating system during last month’s California Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC).
Owners of AirPod and its wireless sibling, Powerbeats Pro, are in for a treat since Apple developed the shared listening feature primarily with the users of both products in mind.
iOS 13: Sharing by Proximity
Based on the WWDC presentation, audio sharing is possible “by
proximity” and can be activated this way:
1. Play media from Apple Music, YouTube, or a related app.
2. Bring your phone close to another phone until “Share audio with (name)?” or just “Share Audio” pops up.
3. Tap “Share Audio”.
4. Enjoy listening to the same music. You and the other person can control the volume separately.
No live demonstration took place during the WWDC, and only a still image of two phones with the “share audio” message flashed on the screen. Testers of the iOS 13 Beta version also noticed that the “sharing by proximity” option is not yet possible.
Sharing in Beta
However, reviews said that the Beta version successfully paired headphones via Bluetooth. Here is how:
1. Connect your iPhone with your AirPods.
2. On your phone, go to Settings and choose Bluetooth.
3. Press the pairing button on the back of the other pair of AirPods.
4. Back to your phone, tap the second set of AirPods when it comes up under “Other devices” for pairing.
When the pairing is successful, the word “Connected” will appear beside each device. The same audio will then play in both headphones. However, volume control and playback can only be done on the iPhone or iPad.
iOS 13 Compatibility and Features
Apple says that iOS 13 will be compatible with the following
devices: iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, iPhone X, XR, XS, or XS mini; iPad Pro 10.5-inch, iPad Pro 11-inch, iPad 12.9-inch (second generation and higher), iPad mini (fifth generation), or iPad Air (third generation); and iPod touch (seventh generation).
Also, during the WWDC, Apple announced that it would retire iTunes. Your iTunes files will not be lost because they will be redistributed to MacOS 10.15 Catalina, which will replace iTunes.
iOS 13 will also bring new features to Apple Music, including the ability to display a song’s full lyrics. Users will simply click the icon in the lower left corner—a speech box with quotation marks inside it—to view the lyrics, which will run at the same pace as the actual song being played. You can also swipe up to see the lyrics that are coming up next. The song will continue playing at its original speed.
Although audio sharing via iOS 13 may look less cute or romantic than sharing earphones with your partner, Apple fans already say it will offer stereo sound, enhancing individual listening pleasure. It’s one of the things that retailers who sell iPhones are banking on this coming Fall.
