Apple’s next version of the AirPods could arrive before the summer

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Sometimes, the analysts and insiders get things wrong. It’s now early 2019 and the reports from last year saying that the next generation of Apple’s AirPods would be here by the end of 2018 or early 2019 missed the timing slightly. That doesn’t mean that another variant isn’t in the works though, as the divisive Bluetooth earbuds have sold like hotcakes for Apple.

Now, we have another report to decide if the forecasted timing is correct. Digitimes is saying that the second iteration of AirPods will be arriving before the summer. That’s only the start of the predictions for the earbuds, with “discrete designs” that will offer health-monitoring features.

Does that mean an end to the ‘tail’ that the existing AirPods feature, which caused all the polarization at launch?

What could the next variation of AirPods feature?

Whatever shape the new AirPods takes, we should assume that they’ll be in Apple’s signature white. Will they have wireless charging, as previously inferred by the brief glimpse of the AirPower charging mat?

How about waterproofing, noise canceling and the ability to determine which ear they were placed into? With multiple early reports, it’s hard to know which features will make it into the next device and which might be used further down the road. Whatever form they take, just know they’ll sell like crazy.

Apple will definitely need to innovate

With the price premium that AirPods commands, Apple will have to innovate again in what is becoming a crowded market. Copycat designs from the likes of Xiaomi and others are all poised to take market share away if new features aren’t forthcoming.

In the rest of the wearables category, Google might be poised to take market share from the Apple Watch series, by buying the rights to some undisclosed tech by Fossil.

The main winner of the wearables sector? The companies that provide the flexible circuitry that powers the devices.

What do you think? Excited for a new version of the AirPods? What features would you like to see? Let us know down below in the comments or carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

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Joe Rice-Jones

Maker, meme-r, and unabashed geek with nearly half a decade of blogging experience at KnowTechie, SlashGear and XDA Developers. If it runs on electricity (or even if it doesn't), Joe probably has one around his office somewhere, with particular focus in gadgetry and handheld gaming. Shoot him an email at joe@knowtechie.com.