AirPods expected to get sleep pause, camera control, new gestures, and more

It has been revealed that new features for AirPods are expected to be announced at

iOS 26 Could Bring Sleep Detection, Camera Controls, and New Gestures to AirPods - MacRumors
https://www.macrumors.com/2025/06/04/ios-26-airpods-rumors/

WWDC AirPods functionality rumor: More gestures, camera
https://appleinsider.com/articles/25/06/04/airpods-expected-to-gain-new-head-gestures-camera-control-revival

The new features of AirPods reported by 9to5Mac, a news site that specializes in Apple information, are as follows.

◆1: New gesture control
Apple's wireless earphones 'AirPods Pro 2' and 'AidPods 4' are equipped with a gesture control function such as 'nodding your head for Yes, shaking your head sideways for No.' According to 9to5Mac, Apple is working on improving the gesture control, and it may be possible to operate noise control by moving your head.

◆2: Pause during sleep
It is also expected that a feature will be added that automatically pauses music or video playback when the user falls asleep. Since AidPods does not have a sleep detection function, it is thought that the feature will work in conjunction with Apple Watch to use sleep data and pause when it determines that the wearer has fallen asleep.

◆3: Camera Control
This has been rumored for a long time, and 9to5Mac reports that Apple is finally ready to roll, which means you'll be able to control the camera on your iPhone or iPad by touching the stem of the AirPods, just like you can with EarBuds.

◆4: Audio Mix
The 'Audio Mix' feature, which separates voice and background sound, featured on the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max, will be installed in 'studio quality' on AirPods. 9to5Mac writes that AirPods will be a strong rival in the market for live microphones for creators.

◆5: Wide range of teaching support
In schools, students may have their own AirPods that connect to a shared iPad, and Apple is working to improve pairing between AirPods and iPadOS to reduce the number of steps required.

Please note that all of these new features are still in development and may be subject to further tweaking, and not all of them may be announced at WWDC25.