Apple AirPods

Digitimes today reports that its sources indicate that flexible printed circuit board manufacturers Flexium, Zhen Ding Technology, Compeq and Unitech are ramping up to supply parts in volume for imminent new Apple hardware.

Flexium and Zhen Ding will make PCBs for new iPad models whereas Compeq and Unitech are on tap for AirPods production.

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A sketchy report out of Apple rumor site Applesfera today claims that AirPods 2 will be released on March 29th. The report cites a source familiar with Apple’s plans and says that original AirPods will be replaced by AirPods 2 next month.

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AirPods were originally released in December of 2016, which means it has been over 2 years since they first hit the market. The truly wireless earbuds from Apple have proven to be incredibly popular, and supply has remained constrained through much of their lifespan.

Now, reports of AirPods 2 are starting to gain traction. Read on as we recap the rumors and expectations for AirPods 2…

Updated with new design and launch date rumors, as well as new wireless charging case speculation. 

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Chinese media outlet Economic Daily News is reporting that Inventec is already producing a new version of AirPods with a different exterior material for the earbuds and charging case, as well as a black color option.

The report indicates that they will go on sale in the spring alongside the AirPower wireless charging mat. EDN says the new AirPods are expected to boost Inventec’s first quarter earnings, as the publication has a supply chain focus.

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At the start of the week, you could reasonably guess that Apple might hold its semi-regular spring event to unveil a new 10-inch iPad and smaller iPad mini 5, an updated iPod touch, possibly AirPods 2, and new features in iOS 12.2. Reliable reporting has since adjusted expectations, giving us a rumored event date and a focus on new subscription news and video services in place of any hardware. So when should we expect to see all that rumored hardware if there’s no hardware event?

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Onleaks has tweeted that whilst the AirPods wireless charging case is set to be released imminently, but the brand new ‘AirPods 2’ may launch later this year, according to a ‘yet unconfirmed but seemingly reliable source’ …

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It’s no secret Apple’s AirPods are one of the biggest hits from the company in years, however, an overview of their viral status via Above Avalon shows that they’re the second best selling product from Apple within two years of its primary launch. Further, Google search interest has grown 500% YoY as compared to December 2017.

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Digitimes has published several reports overnight, which we are combining here, as the Chinese reporters end their Lunar New Year holiday week. The site claims that TSMC will continue to be the exclusive manufacturer of Apple’s A-series chips, with the A13 debuting in the 2019 iPhones to be fabricated using a 7 nanometer process.

The supply chain centric site also reiterates earlier claims that new AirPods and new iPads are coming in the first half of 2019.

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A new report this morning — ought to be taken with utmost caution — from MySmartPrice corroborates rumors of a Spring launch for AirPower, and says updated AirPods will feature a “new design” and a grip-inclined coating. The source also calls for improved audio quality from the buds, a black color offering, and an improved design allowing for greater bass response.

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The second-generation AirPods and corresponding wireless charging case are still missing in action, but when they do finally launch, a certain Santa Barbara, CA-based company will be ready. Nomad, maker of mobile accessories for the iPhone, released its all-in-one Apple Watch + iPhone + AirPods charger a few months ago, obviously anticipating an update to Apple’s popular wireless earbuds.

The Nomad Base Station Apple Watch Edition is currently sold out, but a source close to the company informed me that it expects units to be back in stock soon. Watch our hands-on video walkthrough inside as we explore the ins and outs of Nomad’s three-coil wireless charger.

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AirPods continue to prove a hit despite being unchanged after two years. Look no further than the recent ‘AirPods for Christmas’ meme that spanned social media. But while Apple’s wireless earbuds continue on their path as a cultural phenomenon, AirPods are showing signs of aging for early adopters.

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The AirPods integration is fantastic on iOS with system level support on the iPhone and iPad. And to a certain extent, they’re easy to use on Apple Watch and Apple TV as well. However, the Mac seems to be a lone wolf as it arguably has the worse integration within Apple’s ecosystem.

However that changes with AirBuddy, a brand new utility for macOS that brings iOS-like AirPods integration to the Mac.

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Earlier today, Apple released the first beta of iOS 12.2 for developers. This first release includes quite a few changes and new features, which you can learn more about in our post. One of those changes, which is currently hidden from public view, is the addition of a new setup screen that’s used when configuring AirPods. This new setup screen clearly states that the user will be able to talk to Siri with AirPods or iPhone by saying “Hey, Siri”.

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The AirPods continue to be a smash hit sensation for Apple. However, having launched more than 2 years ago at this point, the focus in the tech community has moved to expectations as to when the AirPods 2 will come out, the first hardware update to Apple’s wireless earbuds.

A report from Digitimes today says Apple will release AirPods 2 within the first six months of 2019. Moreover, it claims that the earbuds will be redesigned to support health monitoring functions.

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Apple clone-maker Xiaomi launched its $29 AirDots back in November, true wireless in-ear headphones whose branding and white color were an obvious play on AirPods. Details have today emerged of an even more blatant AirPods clone, copying Apple’s ‘stick’ design …

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AirPods are a joy to use on iOS devices, but when comes to the Mac, things are a bit different. With iOS, AirPods almost always automatically connect to your preferred device, but their reliability on macOS is a bit buggy.

Thankfully, there’s an excellent third-party app called ‘ToothFairy’ that dramatically improves the experience of using AirPods on macOS.

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Bang & Olufsen looks to be one of the early companies to begin offering fully wireless earphones with a wireless charging case. While we’re still waiting on Apple to offer a wireless charging case for AirPods (and AirPower), B&O is updating its Beoplay E8 premium earphones with a new wireless charging case and more.

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