Apple may release updated AirPods later this year
AirPod fans, rejoice! Apple is working on a major upgrade to its wireless AirPod headphones, according to a Bloomberg report citing sources familiar with the matter.
Apple intends to make periodic updates to its AirPods as it does with iPhones and iPads, according to the story.
The company reportedly plans to release a new model of AirPods with an Apple-designed wireless chip upgrade as early as this year. With the new model, owners will be able to activate Siri by simply saying "Hey Siri," without needing to physically tap the earphone with their hand. The new device is internally known as "B288."
An additional model, which may roll out as early as next year, will be water-resistant, meaning it can survive rain and splashes of water. Unlike the Apple Watch, however, it won't be designed for submersion -- so no swimming yet.
If past predictions hold, these AirPods may be poised for success. In December, KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo predicted Apple would ship 26 to 28 million AirPod units in 2018, up to double the number of units shipped in 2017.
Monica wrote for Mashable's Tech section with a focus on retail, internet of things, and the intersections of technology and social justice. She holds a degree in creative writing from Brown University, and has previously written for Dow Jones Media, the New York Post, Yahoo Finance, and others. In her free time, she can be found attempting to cook Asian food, buying board games, and looking for new hobbies.
