Apple released the AirTag in early 2021, creating a clever tracker that leveraged the ubiquity of Apple devices. If you lose an AirTag, it silently contacts a nearby Apple device to send a message to you of its whereabouts. Now, we learn, a new AirTag is on its way.
AirTag 2 is coming.
According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman in his latest Power On newsletter, we should “get ready for a new AirTag.” I mean, it’s not coming overnight, you understand, and Gurman predicts the new version, with the exciting code-name of B589, is scheduled to arrive “around the middle of next year.”
That’s some time off, then. But the excitement around it can begin to build, courtesy of the news that “Apple is already doing test runs with manufacturing partners in Asia,” Gurman says.
There’s not much more information forthcoming, perhaps unsurprisingly given it’s about a year off. The report does say that we should expect a better chip with improved location tracking.
That’s good, but improved how, exactly? Will it pin down locations to a more precise place? Or transmit data faster to reconnect you with your missing AirTag more quickly?
Either would be good, of course. And the exact improvements may still be under discussion. After all, Apple has just released improvements to the current AirTag in the last few days with iOS 17.5, so that errant trackers that have been improperly following you will be notified. Until last week, only AirTags would make themselves known, but now a much wider range of Bluetooth trackers will be revealed.
I’m sure we can expect thoughtful improvements to security, to prevent stalking, for instance, in the next AirTag, too.
Gurman’s wish list is this: “I’d like a louder speaker, better battery life and a version optimized for wallets.” I think the battery life is fine, but I’d agree with the others, though if you want something that’s a perfect fit for a wallet: consider the RollingSquare AirCard.
More as we have it.
