Thanks to Guilherme Rambo / 9to5Mac for the image!
Apple will launch its AirTags in the third quarter of 2020, according to reports.
After almost a year of speculation and leaks, it appears as though Apple has begun production on its new AirTags and will produce tens of millions of units before quarter three.
According to Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple has submitted an order for several million ultra-wideband trackers to launch under the AirTags brand and work inside of the new Find My iOS app.
Last year, AirTags were leaked with images showing off Bluetooth tracker devices similar to Tile, and several months later, leaked code in iOS 13 revealed they’d be linked to Find My.
It’s believed that the new tags can be paired to an iCloud account and, if they’re lost or stolen, they can be tracked using the Find My app. Users don’t need to be connected to WiFi, as the tags would work using the Offline Finding capabilities which Apple added with iOS 13, meaning they’d ping on other user’s devices to report their location back to Apple.
Both 9to5Mac and MacRumors have suggested that AirTags will be small, circular discs, and they’ll come with a new U1 locator chip which was introduced with the iPhone 11.
What’s more, it’s expected that iPhones and iPads will use 3D balloons to offer a visual cue of where user’s lost items are through augmented reality.
“Walk around several feet and move your iPhone up and down until a balloon comes into view,” an iOS AirTags leak revealed.
It’s unknown when Apple will launch its new AirTags, but it could come in September alongside Apple’s new 5G iPhones.
As they’re a totally new product category, they could come earlier, or even be unveiled online with a video rather than via standard Apple fanfare.
What are your thoughts on AirTags? Let us know on social media and check back soon for more news and rumors on everything Apple, as and when we get it.