Evidently the lengthy look forward to a new AirTag It is virtually over. After few and hesitating rumors Earlier this yr, when Apple was engaged on a second-generation mannequin, a brand new report signifies that the undertaking has made regular progress and is on monitor to launch in mid-2025.
In it newest version In his Energy On publication, Bloomberg journalist Mark Gurman writes that Apple has been conducting “manufacturing exams” on the gadget (codenamed B589) and that due to progress in these exams, Apple “is making ready to launch it to the market”. The probably launch timeframe stays mid-2025, which might be roughly 4 years after the launch of the unique AirTag.
We had been solely advised in Could that the AirTag 2 would characteristic a greater chip with improved location monitoring, however Gurman is now able to reveal a bit extra about what Apple has in retailer. Along with higher vary and a beefed-up built-in wi-fi chip, he claims the brand new gadget will provide higher privateness, as Apple wrestles with one of the vital controversial points with the primary product.
Gurman would not point out a design change, nor the addition of a much-needed keychain gap, so count on the brand new AirTag to be nearly indistinguishable from the outdated one.
For a minority of unethical prospects, the attraction of the AirTag is that it may be used for stalking, and there have been quite a few Excessive-profile incidents through which folks found unusual AirTags of their vehicles or private belongings. The corporate addressed the difficulty with software program updates to warn those who they’re accompanied by an unknown AirTag, however this may be neutralized to some extent by eradicating the gadget’s speaker. Subsequently, the AirTag 2 speaker might be harder to take away.
The AirTag is an enchanting product with quite a lot of potential and one worrying flaw, so we’re wanting ahead to studying extra in regards to the second-generation model. I keep unconvinced that it’s potential to thwart harassment with out additionally thwarting the gadget’s perform as an anti-theft measure, because the two conditions are functionally an identical, even when they’re ethically completely different. However perhaps Apple will change its thoughts subsequent yr, particularly for those who’ve been studying my listing of methods to enhance AirTag.
