I'm not sure I want this? What does this actually mean?
Note that the Airpods don't actually know where your device is located. It simply sets a "base orientation" when the sound is started. This base orientation is updated when you keep your head in a new position for a longer time ("resetting" the approximated position of your device).
The emulation is convincing and well executed, but it is still just a gimmick that only really works when playing back Dolby Atmos movies.
As to "why", people might actually prefer the (emulated) experience of a point sound source, as it could closer resemble talking to someone physically present (calls) or listening to a live performance.
Also used for surround sound, so if you turn your head, the "center channel" still is focused on the screen, and surround sound is where it would be if there were actual speakers behind you.
Could be something Apple is testing and "pre-staging" for the future though. VR/AR?
No idea why you'd create it otherwise.
The same way when you’re outside and you hear a car, and you turn away from the car the sound dampens. The same will be true of music played through these headphones.
It’s cool but I’m not sure why it exists.
This actively makes it seem like the sound is coming from a certain place, even though you have headphones on.
It's a well executed feature with a extremely limited scope/use case. I would not base headphone purchasing decisions on its availability.
vs surround sound:
> able to create the sensation of sound coming from any horizontal direction
Having been using spatial audio for a few days, the effect is surround sound. What’s clever is it works regardless of where your device is