Potential Delay for Apple AirTag 2: Blame the Vision Pro?

Recent rumors suggest that the release of Apple’s AirTag 2 may face a delay, possibly pushing it back to 2025. Initially slated for a late 2023 release, it was later rescheduled to late 2024, and now, there’s another year added to the waiting period. If these rumors hold true, it means users will have to make do with their current AirTags for a more extended period, resulting in a four-year gap between the original AirTags and their second-generation counterparts.

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The reason behind this delay remains a mystery. The only additional information available is that Apple has slated mass production of the tracker for 2025.

Potential Compatibility with the Vision Pro

A few months ago, reports indicated that Apple intends to integrate AirTag 2 into a “spatial computing ecosystem” with the “Vision Pro” at its core. Spatial computing can be thought of as a more advanced version of augmented reality, seamlessly blending the virtual and physical worlds to create an immersive experience. The Vision Pro headset is designed to facilitate interaction within this digital environment. Somehow, the AirTag 2 is expected to play a role in this ecosystem. MacRumors speculates that the tracker might transmit “positional information” to the Vision Pro headset through its ultra-wideband chip.

The implications for spatial computing remain speculative. The AirTag 2 could potentially serve as a beacon to help the Vision Pro establish a virtual space or offer more precise tracking through an improved ultra-wideband chip. At this stage, it’s mostly a matter of conjecture.

It’s worth noting that the Vision Pro is scheduled for a 2024 launch, which could mean that the AirTag 2 might follow shortly after its release.

The Future of Trackers

When (or if) the AirTag 2 eventually hits the market, Apple will need to bring its A-game. The company faces stiff competition from rivals, with Samsung recently launching the Galaxy SmartTag2, boasting a massive battery life of up to 700 days and a compact, ring-shaped design for easy attachment to objects. Google was also expected to introduce its own tag during the Pixel 8 event, but it didn’t materialize.

It’s possible that Google is waiting for Apple to add unknown tracker alerts to iOS, which would enable the launch of the Google AirTag. The timing may be aligned with Apple’s potential release of the AirTag 2. Hopefully, Apple won’t delay updates to iOS, so Android users can enjoy a similar experience in tracking technology.