The Apple AirPods 2 will launch in the first half of 2019 and will pack more health related features – according to a new report.
Digitimes, who are serial Apple tipsters (with a mixed track record), will use “discrete designs” for “health monitoring features” – whatever that means. Little other detail was offered in the report, although Digitimes did make mention to the existing supply chain for AirPods manufacturing, which is where any insider information would likely come from.
Read this: Apple AirPods help, tips and tricks
With the tiny batteries inside the AirPods there seems little chance of heart rate or any meaningful sensors being added, unless in the intervening two years since launch Apple has revolutionised power consumptions.
We earmarked the resurgence of hearables as one of our key predictions in our Wareable Hotlist – and a lot of that will be down to AirPods 2, whenever they launch. The first Apple wireless buds have been a massive hit, although lack smart features compared to the likes of Bragi and Nuheara.
However, the AirPods have plenty of room for improvement. The buds aren’t waterproof, which makes them dubious for workouts – and this seems to be a no-brainer for the AirPods 2, especially given the Apple Watch’s clear focus on sport.
We’ll be keeping tabs on all the latest AirPod developments, and if you just can’t wait, check out our hearables buying guide.
How we test
James is the co-founder of Wareable, and he has been a technology journalist for 15 years.
He started his career at Future Publishing, James became the features editor of T3 Magazine and T3.com and was a regular contributor to TechRadar – before leaving Future Publishing to found Wareable in 2014.
James has been at the helm of Wareable since 2014 and has become one of the leading experts in wearable technologies globally. He has reviewed, tested, and covered pretty much every wearable on the market, and is passionate about the evolving industry, and wearables helping people achieve healthier and happier lives.