Apple’s second-generation AirPods Pro could come with a bunch of new features and functionality.
Ming-Chi Kuo, who has a proven track record when it comes to Apple, has suggested that the earphones will feature a new form factor that’s closer to the Beats Fit Pro, reducing the size of the tips and making the AirPods feel more like the Samsung Galaxy Buds, ideal for those looking for a subtle appearance when out and about.
It’s also thought that the new model will feature sensors for measuring the user’s health.
“We expect Apple to launch AirPods Pro 2 in 4Q22 with new selling points, including a new form factor design, support for Apple Lossless (ALAC) format, and a charging case that can emit a sound for users to track. We are optimistic about the demand for AirPods Pro 2 and estimate shipments will reach 18–20mn units in 2022,” Kuo said in a research note.
It’s the first time we’ve heard lossless support be mentioned for AirPods, and it’s particularly interesting to note as just days ago, Gary Geaves of Apple’s Acoustics, said there were limitations with Bluetooth, and that Apple was pushing for a wireless standard that allowed for more bandwidth than Bluetooth.
“Obviously the wireless technology is critical for the content delivery that you talk about,” he says, “but also things like the amount of latency you get when you move your head, and if that’s too long, between you moving your head and the sound changing or remaining static, it will make you feel quite ill, so we have to concentrate very hard on squeezing the most that we can out of the Bluetooth technology, and there’s a number of tricks we can play to maximize or get around some of the limits of Bluetooth. But it’s fair to say that we would like more bandwidth and… I’ll stop right there. We would like more bandwidth,” he said in an interview.
AirPods Pro 2 are expected to launch in mid to late 2022. Are you looking forward to them? Let us know and check back soon for more!
