In the latest situation of his Energy On publication, Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman says he expects Apple to launch a USB-C charging case for its AirPods Professional wi-fi earbuds, possible concurrently the launch of the iPhone 15 lineup in September.
Gurman stated the changeover will possible happen alongside the swap from Lightning to USB-C that’s anticipated for the iPhone 15 collection this fall.
Gurman’s feedback are just like these made by Apple business analyst Ming-Chi Kuo again in March when he stated that Apple has plans to debut a USB-C charging case for the second-generation AirPods Professional later this 12 months. Kuo had stated he expects to see shipments of the brand new case happen within the second or third quarter. Kuo additionally predicted final spring that Apple will go all-in on USB-C by 2024, phasing out the Lightning port throughout its complete accent lineup.
AirPods and Listening to Well being
Gurman additionally stated Apple is growing a brand new listening to check characteristic for AirPods Professional that may “play completely different tones and sounds to permit the AirPods to find out how properly an individual can hear,” to display screen for potential listening to points.
Gurman says the AirPods Professional-based listening to check might “Sherlock” apps which are already within the App Retailer, like Mimi. Apple met with Mimi’s builders a couple of years again. The Cupertino agency is thought to satisfy with builders that develop revolutionary apps, later releasing a characteristic in its working programs that makes the apps redundant. Sherlock was the title of the desktop search characteristic Apple launched in an early model of Mac OS X that infamously made a smaller app named Watson redundant.
Apple is exploring the way it might sometime place AirPods as a listening to help by enhancing already present options like Reside Pay attention and Dialog Increase. Neither of these options but has regulatory approval.
Gurman additionally repeated earlier feedback, indicating that Apple is growing well being sensors to be used in future AirPods generations. One of many sensors might supply the power to learn a person’s physique temperature straight from the ear canal, which is believed to be extra correct than taking a temperature studying from the wrist.
Apple presently collects temperature knowledge from customers on the Apple Watch Collection 8 and Extremely fashions, taking the temperature measurements whereas an Apple Watch person sleeps. Apple presently makes use of the data for fertility monitoring. Nevertheless, the corporate is seeking to increase the temperature measurements’ utilization, permitting it to find out if an individual has, a chilly, flu, or different sickness. These temperature measurement options could possibly be a number of months or years away.
The AirPods Professional will work properly with Apple’s upcoming Imaginative and prescient Professional AR/VR headset, pairing with the headset to offer a extra non-public sound expertise for customers. This can enable Imaginative and prescient Professional customers to benefit from the expertise whereas not disturbing others round them.
New AirPods options will come alongside for the experience with the discharge of iOS 17. This features a button to press to mute or unmute your self on telephone or FaceTime calls, enhancements in switching your AirPods between different Apple gadgets, and a brand new Adaptive Audio characteristic that may mechanically swap between transparency and noise cancellation modes.
Gurman additionally suggests Apple lower the worth of its most cost-effective AirPods mannequin. The second-generation AirPods are presently provided at a $129 worth level. He says they’d be a fair higher worth at a $99 worth level, making them extra enticing as an impulse purchase or a stocking stuffer throughout the vacation season.