Tag: Air Tag

Apple CEO Tim Cook revealed earlier that new products will be unveiled on February 19th (Pacific Time), hinting at the arrival of the newest member of the Apple family. While specific details were not disclosed, it is expected to be the much-rumored fourth-generation iPhone SE, along with a new iPad Air and a standard iPad. Furthermore, teaser images highlight an AirTag-like design, suggesting Apple may announce a successor to the AirTag, targeting a wider market and supporting features like Vision Pro connectivity. Previous rumors also indicated a new MacBook Air with an M4 processor, but recent reports suggest this product may take some time before it hits the market. Get ready to meet the newest member of the family. Wednesday, February 19. #AppleLaunch pic.twitter.com/0ML0NfMedu — Tim Cook (@tim_cook) February 13, ...

Previous reports suggested Apple planned a complete redesign of the Magic Mouse, with a completely new look. Earlier, sources indicated the product could launch as early as the second half of 2026. Prior to this, Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman believed Apple would not only address the current Magic Mouse's awkward charging interface design (the charging port is currently located directly below the mouse, preventing simultaneous charging and mouse use) but also adopt a completely new interface and design. However, the actual launch was expected to be 1 to 18 months away, with the earliest market entry anticipated to be late 2025 or sometime in 2026. This latest report suggests the new Magic Mouse will launch in the second half of 2026, and further claims the new MacBook Pro will indeed feature an OLED display panel, as rumored. Additionally, previous reports anticipated a new AirTag launch in 2025, incorporating an upgraded chip and a chip design to prevent data tampering. The ultra-wideband chip may also adopt the same design as the iPhone 15 series, thereby improving positioning efficiency. In addition to revealing the aforementioned potential Apple product update, Mark Gurman also stated in his report that Apple may be developing a product with a 20-inch foldable screen design. When unfolded, the screen would be about the size of two iPad Pro screens combined, and it would offer the user experience of both iPad and Mac models. It is expected to be announced as early as 2028.

Apple has announced its New Year's promotion in Japan, offering a chance to win an exclusive Year of the Snake AirTag. During the promotion, customers purchasing select Apple devices between January 2nd and 5th will receive an Apple gift card worth up to 30,000 yen. Specifically, purchasing an iPhone earns a gift card worth up to 11000 yen, a MacBook Air up to 30,000 yen, a current-generation iPad, iPad Air, or iPad Pro up to 15000 yen, an Apple Watch up to 11000 yen, and AirPods Max, AirPods 4, or AirPods Pro 2 up to 12000 yen. The first 50,000 customers purchasing the iPhone 15 series, iPhone 14 series, or iPhone SE will receive an exclusive Year of the Snake AirTag. This New Year promotion is only available at Apple Stores in Japan or through Apple Japan's official website, but does not include purchases made through the Apple Store App.

Reports indicate that Apple plans to revamp its Magic Mouse, expecting a completely new design, and also anticipates launching a new AirTag product. The current Magic Mouse, aside from having a built-in battery and USB-C charging, remains largely unchanged in appearance and usage, maintaining its 2009 design. According to a Bloomberg report, Apple has already begun developing a new mouse prototype, incorporating a completely new interface. Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman believes that Apple will not only address the current Magic Mouse's awkward charging interface design (the charging port is currently located directly below the mouse, preventing simultaneous charging and mouse use), but will also adopt a completely new interface and design. However, the actual launch is expected to be 1 to 18 months away, with the earliest market entry anticipated being the end of 2025 or sometime in 2026. In addition, Mark Gurman also anticipates a new AirTag launch in 2025, featuring an upgraded chip and a chip design to prevent data tampering. The ultra-wideband chip may adopt the same design as the iPhone 15 series, thereby improving positioning efficiency. Besides revealing the aforementioned potential Apple product updates, Mark Gurman also stated in his report that Apple may be developing a 20-inch foldable screen design, roughly the size of two iPad Pro screens combined when unfolded, offering the user experience of both iPad and Mac models. It is expected to be announced as early as 2028.

Bloomberg News reports that Apple is expected to launch a second-generation AirTag location tracking product in mid-2025, and will improve privacy issues related to location tracking. When AirTag, which can be used for location tracking, was officially launched at the end of April 2021, although Apple proposed relevant privacy protection policies for the product, it still sparked considerable privacy-related controversy. This led Apple to continuously adjust its usage policies and collaborate with Google to improve the way it tracks object locations. Even the new iOS 18.2 added an option to actively share the location of items in the "Find My" function, allowing users to use AirTag in a more flexible way. While companies like Samsung have already updated their trackable location products, Apple seems to be planning to update its AirTag, which has been on the market for some time, with a new product expected as early as mid-2025. However, the actual name will depend on Apple's later announcement. Reports indicate that the second-generation AirTag will feature a new wireless chip. While there may not be significant differences in appearance, its positioning capabilities are expected to be greatly improved. Privacy protection features may also be enhanced, such as a louder alarm sound to make it easier for users to detect if someone else's AirTag is following them, or making it easier for users to locate their AirTag. Previously, reports indicated that the new AirTag, codenamed "B589," was expected to improve location tracking, allowing for more accurate location identification. Testing with a manufacturing partner in Asia is currently underway.

Following the launch of numerous Bluetooth positioning accessories by various manufacturers, Motorola has also announced its own Bluetooth positioning accessory, the Moto Tag, which is expected to launch in select markets in the coming months, though pricing has not yet been announced. The Moto Tag will be compatible with Google's "Find My Device" feature, and its CR2032 battery provides up to a year of continuous operation. Its design is compatible with most third-party accessories on the market, presumably primarily those compatible with Apple's AirTag. The Moto Tag also supports UWB (Ultra-Wideband) technology, allowing it to be located by phones that also support UWB, such as Motorola's previously released edge 50 ultra. Similar to Samsung's Galaxy SmartTag, the Moto Tag also features buttons that can ring paired phones or be used as a remote control to remotely activate the phone's camera shutter. The Moto Tag is IP67 waterproof and dustproof, with a maximum water depth of 1 meter and 30 minutes of immersion protection. Motorola also emphasizes that this location accessory is designed to comply with personal privacy regulations, with all location information protected by end-to-end encryption. In addition, it can also actively identify unknown Moto Tag users in the vicinity through the Find My app on Android and iOS devices.

Besides revealing that Apple might announce a collaboration with OpenAI during WWDC 2024, Bloomberg reporter Mark Garman also mentioned that Apple plans to launch a new AirTag in mid-2025. The new AirTag, codenamed "B589," is expected to improve location tracking capabilities, allowing for more accurate location identification. It is currently being tested with a manufacturing partner in Asia. Previously, market analyst Ming-Chi Kuo also indicated in a report that the new AirTag would be delayed until 2025. Mark Garman's report also mentions a mid-2025 launch for the new AirTag, seemingly suggesting that Apple may not update the product this year. Three years have passed since the first AirTag was launched in 2021, but aside from previous updates to its location privacy policy and collaborations with Google on location tracking and unidentified devices, Apple seems to have no plans to release a follow-up product. In contrast, competitors like Samsung have already released multiple location-based applications.

Previously, it was estimated that Apple's new positioning device, AirTag 2, would enter mass production as early as the end of this year. However, market analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has revised his statement, indicating that the product will be delayed until 2025. Previously, it was suggested that Apple might intend to build a new spatial computing application model with devices including Vision Pro and AirTag 2. Therefore, AirTag 2 could potentially be used as a device positioning aid, such as assisting Vision Pro in more accurate positioning, or integrating more application services through positioning. However, specific details of AirTag 2 are currently uncertain. Kuo previously expected the product to enter mass production in the fourth quarter of 2024, perhaps entering the market in the spring of 2025, but has now revised his prediction, believing that the product will be delayed until 2025. Samsung recently launched the new Galaxy SmartTag 2, a positioning device. Compared to the previous Galaxy SmartTag, the Galaxy SmartTag 2 features a completely different design, incorporating a larger aperture for easier wear and a metal ring for enhanced durability. It also uses a CR2032 battery, providing approximately 500 days of standby time under normal conditions, which can be extended to 700 days with a new power-saving mode. Available in black and white, it boasts IP67 water resistance and utilizes Bluetooth Low Energy and Ultra Wideband (UWB) technology. Users can use the AR Find function with Galaxy phones to receive augmented reality guidance for the Galaxy SmartTag 2's location. Bluetooth positioning range reaches up to 120 meters, or it can be used to create a Bluetooth network with other Galaxy phones for long-distance positioning.

Following reports that Samsung might be preparing to launch a new location-based device, the Galaxy SmartTag 2, related news also suggests that Apple may release its second-generation location-based device, the AirTag 2, by the end of 2024. Renowned analyst Ming-Chi Kuo believes that Apple may intend to build a new spatial computing application model with devices including the Vision Pro and AirTag 2. Therefore, the AirTag 2 could potentially be used as a device location assistance product, such as to aid in more accurate positioning for the Vision Pro, or to integrate more application services through location services. However, specific details of the AirTag 2 are currently uncertain, and Kuo expects the product to enter mass production in the fourth quarter of 2024, possibly reaching the market in the spring of 2025. Given that the first-generation AirTag was launched in the spring of 2021, Apple may offer further updates to the AirTag 2, thereby building more diverse user experiences beyond the original location-based application functionality.

Following its collaboration with Apple in May to draft guidelines to combat unauthorized tracking using Bluetooth location devices, Google has recently begun adding detection and warning features for unknown Bluetooth location devices to Android operating systems from version 6.0 onwards. In the initial update, Google will allow users to actively detect unfamiliar Apple AirTags that are continuously tracking them, and will gradually add detection for Bluetooth location devices from other brands. With the alert function enabled, when an Android phone detects an unknown location device continuously tracking the user, it will automatically issue an alert. It can even be connected to a device to make it emit an audible sound, facilitating quick location identification. Additionally, similar to previous features, when a user brings their Android phone close to an unknown Bluetooth location device, its information can be read via NFC, including the device's serial number, the last four digits of the user's phone number, and instructions on how to avoid being tracked by the unknown Bluetooth location device. This feature was announced at Google I/O 2023 this year. At the same time, the redesigned device finder feature was also explained, which adds support for headphones, tablets or mobile devices from different brands, making it easier for users to find items that have been accidentally lost.