It's been close to four years since Apple launched the first generation AirTag, a Bluetooth-based object tracker.
It is one of the most secure gadgets to track household items such as house keys, vehicle keys, travel bags and wallets, which are prone to getting stolen or misplaced.
AirTag has received several firmware updates over the years to improve the user's privacy security and curb illegal human tracking. But, it is long due for a successor.
If sources of Mark Gurman (Bloomberg) are to be believed, Apple is ready with AirTag 2nd gen, as manufacturing tests have concluded, before mass production starts. If things go as planned, it is likely to hit stores in 2025.
The new AirTag 2 will retain the design language of the predecessor. It is expected to feature a circular form factor with a slight bulge at the centre but will come with big upgrades. It will have new generation ultra wideband chipset to deliver a stable wireless connectivity range, which will help iPhone users to track the AirTag 2-tagged article more precisely than the first-gen model.
Also, AirTag 2 will have a speaker and Apple is said to make design changes to make criminals remove it.
Apple AirTag.
Credit: DH Photo/KVN Rohit
There were a lot of cases of people removing speakers from AirTag and placing them in purses or wallets to stalk estranged partners. The new AirTag will have better user privacy security and end such illegal practices.
In a related development, Apple is also working on the iPhone SE's successor. The third iteration of the iPhone SE launched in 2022.
It will have a new design and a bigger 6.06-inch display compared to the predecessor (4.7-inch). And, it will be powered by the latest Apple A18 chipset, as seen on iPhone 16 series models.
It will support Apple Intelligence features and offer longer battery life. It is expected to launch in Spring around March-April 2025.
Apple earlier this month unveiled new generation iMac, MacBook Pro and Mac mini and is unlikely to bring any new products for the year. However, it is reportedly planning a whole new line of devices in 2025.
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