The design of Apple’s AirPods is about to get a tweak, according to a new unconfirmed report coming out of Asia. Expect a fresh choice of color and a coating that will make these earbuds harder to drop.
This refresh is reportedly tied to the release of the AirPower wireless charger which is expected to launch at the same time.
Apple was ready to introduce mildly updated AirPods last year but held them up until AirPower was ready, according to the Chinese-language Economic Daily News. That’s because the earbuds will apparently come with a wireless charging case.
The AirPower multi-device charging mat was supposed to debut last year but developers supposedly ran into problems with overheating. The debut of both products will allegedly come this spring.
AirPods 2 seem more like AirPods 1.5
There have been rumors of significant changes coming to future AirPods, but most of these are apparently still in development. The version coming soon will reportedly offer just a couple of minor improvements beyond the case with wireless charging.
EDN is the second source to report that Apple will finally make its earbuds available in black. Until now, white was the only option. In addition, they’ll supposedly have a coating that will make them less slippery.
Unnamed sources at Inventec are cited by EDN as the source of this information. Inventec produces the current version of these wireless devices for Apple, and wis already making the second generation as well.
There could be another enhancement: buried in the iOS 12.2 beta is a pop-up box allowing AirPods to be set up with “Hey Siri.” This would make it much easier for people on the move to give verbal commands ot their iPhone.
Something seems to be happening
It’s an indirect measurement, but the large number of rumors about upcoming AirPods in circulation recently suggests that their release date is coming soon. But all this isn’t guaranteed. Another recent unconfirmed report indicated that AirPods 2 won’t be out until fall.
Still, a possible launch date for AirPods 2 and AirPower is March 25 when Apple is rumored to be planning a media event.
