Apple Announcement 2019: AirPods, iPods, and AirPower Coming This Week?
Apple may be about to launch even more products.
Apple has had a bumper week of product launches so far, and it could continue the momentum by making even more surprise announcements. In a week that saw the release of two new iPad models on Monday and new versions of the iMac Tuesday, talk is turning to other rumored products like the AirPods wireless headphones, AirPower charging mat and a new iPod Touch.
After a relatively quiet start to the year, Apple announced on March 11 plans to host an event on March 25 at the Steve Jobs Theater by the company’s Cupertino, California headquarters, where it’s widely expected to reveal a new video streaming service. Just three days later, it detailed plans for its annual Worldwide Developers Conference, due to be held June 3 to 7, where it’s expected to unveil iOS 13, watchOS 6, macOS 10.15, and updates on tvOS.
The company took things up a notch Monday when it announced two new models of iPad, both of which use the A12 Bionic processor. The 7.9-inch iPad Mini starts at $399 and offers Apple Pencil support, while the 10.5-inch iPad Air at $499 supports the stylus and a smart keyboard. On Tuesday the firm unveiled updates to the iMac that offer up to eight-core Intel ninth-generation processors, starting at $1,299 for the 21.5-inch model and $1,799 for the 27-inch model.
While it’s been a big month for Apple already, the company could be about to unveil even more.
Apple Announcement 2019: AirPods
Apple’s $159 wireless earphones first launched in December 2016 and have yet to receive any major updates, but rumors suggest the company could gear up to bring a major update to the line soon. Rumors point to a slightly tweaked design with new features. This includes new black and white color choices, possible improved water resistance, a wireless charging case, and an always-on “Hey Siri” feature that enables users to invoke the voice assistant without touching their phone. More outlandish rumors point to Apple Watch-like biometric sensors.
The AirPods come in a small charging case.
Respected Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo last month named the AirPods as potentially launching in the first half of 2019, a report echoed by Mark Gurman. Another piece of evidence pointing to an imminent launch is the iOS 12.2 beta that launched earlier this month, which made reference to “Hey Siri” support for AirPods. With that in mind, Apple could continue its momentum with a sudden launch.
Apple Announcement 2019: iPod
The iPod Touch launched in 2007 essentially as a means of introducing more people to the then-new iPhone, but it maintains a devout group of fans that appreciate its low price and lack of cellular connectivity.
The current-generation iPod Touch.
A January report claimed the iPod Touch would receive its first update in nearly four years, enabling those users to upgrade and given their beloved devices a refresh. The product has slipped under the radar in recent years, but if the rumors hold true, Apple could opt to release an update in a similar style to the iMac and iPad.
Apple Announcement 2019: AirPower
AirPower has proven a rather elusive product. The wireless charging mat was first announced in September 2017 alongside the iPhone X, promising to charge three devices with little regard for their placement. Where most chargers require the user to align their device with a single coil, reports suggested Apple would use a staggering 27 coils to ensure the devices could charge even if placed in varying positions. Patent applications point to a more restrained design that uses just 16 coils.
Phil Schiller introduces AirPower.
Although announced for a 2018 launch, the year came and went with no sign of the mat. Apple has since released the iPhone 8, 8 Plus, X, XS, XS Max, and XR all with wireless charging support. In August 2018, Logitech and Apple released a charger capable of powering a single smartphone in lieu of the AirPower.
In January, supply chain rumors suggested the device could emerge as a product manufactured by Luxshare and Pegatron. Kuo last month claimed the AirPower could drop in the first half of 2019, just like the AirPods. The iOS 12.2 beta, which also hinted at AirPods launching soon, also references the AirPower mat in the software notes.
If the odds point in favor of an AirPods launch, AirPower could follow soon after.
