iOS 18 and its most notable functions are still giving something to talk about in Spain. The new iPhone operating system that will arrive in the fall continues to be vigorously tested, and many users are discovering functions and features that did not appear at Apple Intelligence’s WWDC 2024. For example, iOS 18 will allow you to send spatial audio via AirPlay.
Users who love the Apple ecosystem are in luck. Devices like HomePod or Apple TV include AirPlay, the protocol to send high-quality audio and video which directly rivals Android’s Chromecast technology. Basically it allows you to send videos, movies, series and music to these Apple products. iOS 18 will give the user the option to send music with spatial audio.
Spatial audio is an immersive audio technology with Dolby Atmos that simulates an environment in which sound gains a great level of depth. For example, the latest generation Beats and AirPods support spatial audio, as do Apple HomePods and Macs with Apple chips. Now, AirPlay will benefit from this technology.
Spatial audio comes to AirPlay
Since Apple popularized spatial audio throughout its devices, there have been many who have complained about the impossibility of bringing the music or video that the user sees on their iPhone with spatial audio to a device compatible with AirPlay. Until now, AirPlay would convert to stereo audio, even if the audio had Dolby Atmos enabled.
Shortly after the iOS 18 announcement at the company’s WWDC, Apple stated that AirPlay will add spatial audio for users, including Dolby technology. “AirPlay adds spatial audio so users can get an immersive audio experience, including support for Dolby Atmos, when they use AirPlay to stream audio from an iPhone or iPad to HomePods and compatible audio devices,” Apple explains.
Apple Music adds lossless audio to the entire catalog and spatial audio with Dolby Atmos
This caused companies like Sonos to have to resort to other options to be able to stream music with spatial audio sent from an iPhone or iPad. An idea that made no sense at all, due to how widespread both technologies are, both AirPlay and spatial audio itself. Especially taking into account the HomePod, products almost designed for this purpose.
For years, services like Apple Music have enabled the possibility of listening to music with spatial audio and Dolby Atmos to achieve that immersive experience so necessary for some. iOS 18, arriving next fall, will put an end to this problem once and for all.
