While Apple has announced many new products in recent months, some rumored devices are still hiding in the shadows: products like the AirTags Bluetooth tracker and the AirPods Studio.
Even though Apple is keeping them close to its chest, some secrets are hidden in the iOS 14.3 beta, including confirmation of their existence.
The absence of both products at Apple's "One More Thing" event means that neither is likely to be released before the end of 2020. However, the beta version of iOS 14.3 has confirmed their presence thanks to the inclusion of some icons. The icons show a very different AirPods Studio design than we had expected.
While the icons themselves don't reveal anything, the design of the iOS beta version of the AirPods Studio doesn't quite match what we've seen so far. In previous renderings of the headphones, the earcups are rectangular cups and earpads, both of which appear to be about the same size. The Icons, on the other hand, feature larger, more rounded pads and appear to be more like traditional over-ear headphones.
The design is not miles away from the Bose 700, a classic pair of nose-canceling over-ear headphones. However, the AirPods Studios are said to feature powerful active noise cancellation, a custom equalizer, and a smart feature that adjusts the sound balance regardless of the direction the headphones are worn, making Apple's over-ear headphones a strong Bose It seems likely that Apple's over-ear headphones will be a strong rival to Bose's.
Of course, it is quite difficult to say for sure, as they are iconic and may involve artistic license. That said, we have heard rumors of a second AirPods Studio model, which should be cheaper and "sportier" than the premium models we have seen so far. In other words, Apple's icon may be trying to match the entry-level model that more people will eventually become accustomed to.
There are also backpack and suitcase icons, which probably represent air tags. After all, these are designed to help you find your stuff, and popular use cases for Bluetooth trackers are bags and luggage. Obviously, wallets and keys may be used more often, but they are not as visually appealing.
But unlike the AirPods Studio, which frankly are quite self-explanatory (they are headphones), the iOS 14.3 beta version contains some new information about what AirTags can do.
The "Find My" app has a new hidden section for use with third-party trackers such as AirTags and Tile. That section includes instructions on how to set everything up and an option to link AirTag to your Apple ID.
That way, no one else can pinch the tag and use it for themselves, while less unscrupulous people can scan the tag to see who it belongs to. Apparently, if you set a tag as lost, the person who scans it will see your phone number and be able to contact you.
There's more in the beta, including the launch of the ProRAW camera feature for the iPhone 12 Pro and 12 Pro Max, support for the PS5 DualSense controller, third-party app suggestions, and the ability to update HomeKit accessories in the Home app. There are many more.
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