According to Mark Gurman from Bloomberg, Apple is planning to launch a new version of its AirTag in the first half of 2025. This will be the first significant update to the tracking device since it was launched in 2021.
New Technology for Better Tracking
Gurman suggests that this new version will be equipped with a more sophisticated chip, probably the second-generation ultra-wideband (UWB) chip, which was recently featured in the iPhone 15. This new technology is likely to improve how accurately the AirTag can track locations.
The original AirTag is powered by Apple's U1 chip, which uses UWB technology along with Bluetooth to connect to Apple’s Find My network. This allows users to pinpoint their devices with high precision. Its stainless-steel design is both compact and lightweight, offering IP67 water and dust resistance for some protection against the elements.
Features to Assist Users
The AirTag includes a tiny built-in speaker, which makes it easier for users to locate their AirTag by playing a sound when activated via the Find My app. The back cover can be removed, allowing users to change the battery as needed.
With the Find My app, users can track the AirTag on a map. Furthermore, the app offers more detailed assistance, including sound, haptic feedback, and visual directions using ARKit, accelerometer, and gyroscope technology.
In situations where someone misplaces an AirTag, it can be set to Lost Mode, which alerts the user when it’s found or comes back into range. If someone else finds the AirTag, they can tap it using an NFC-enabled device, which will show the owner’s contact details if they have been provided.
Privacy Measures in Place
Apple has incorporated privacy features in the AirTag to stop unwanted tracking. For example, the Bluetooth signal identifiers used by the AirTag change frequently to prevent tracking by unauthorized users, and communications within the Find My network are encrypted from end to end.
The new AirTag is also rumored to work with Apple’s Vision Pro headset, although specific details about this feature are still unclear. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo noted last year that the production of AirTag had been postponed until 2025, but both he and Gurman expect a launch next year. So far, there are no signs of any changes in the design.
