Apple’s Popular AirPods Updated with New H1Chip, 50 Percent More Talk Time

Apple debuts its latest version of AirPods with better performance, Hey Siri and a wireless charging case option

It’s been a big week of hardware product releases for Apple, as the company announced today that it was releasing the latest version of AirPods. Earlier this week, Apple introduced the 10.5-inch iPad Air and 5th generation iPad mini on Monday and then updated its iMac and iMac Pro models on Tuesday. Apple also slashed prices for high end SSD upgrades for the Mac mini, MacBook Air and MacBook Pro.

The new AirPods, as we expected, offers greater performance and Hey Siri options. The second generation AirPods comes with a new powerful H1 chip designed for headphones to improve performance, speed, 50 percent more talk time and a hands-free "Hey Siri” option. The new AirPods come with a standard charging case or a new Wireless Charging Case option. Both cases offer 24 hours of total listening time. The Wireless Charging Case has an LED light indicator on the front of the case to show the charge status. The Hey Siri options enables you to change songs, adjust the volume, make calls or get directions by just using the “Hey Siri” prompt.

AirPods are available for purchase on Apple’s website at $159 for the standard charging case option or $199 for the wireless option. The standalone Wireless Charging Case can be purchased for $79. Apple now offers free engraving for AirPods.

Apple's Second-Gen AirPods Equipped with Health Tracking, Expected in 2019

The next generation of AirPods is expected to launch with health tracking features, Apple Watch integration and responding to Siri

Expected to launch in the first half of 2019, Apple’s rumored AirPods 2 are expected to have health monitoring features, according to supply chain sources. This enables AirPods to compete in the wearables market. In 2018, Apple’s revenue from wearables grew by as much as 50 percent, according to DigiTimes.

Supplier Insight

As suppliers anticipate a growing wearables market in 2019, their predictions apparently match similar expectations described by noted Apple industry analyst, Ming-Chi Kuo back in December of last year, who described wireless charging support and an updated Bluetooth feature for the newer AirPods in early 2019. The two suppliers who provided the information, Taiwanese flexible PCB suppliers Zhen Ding Tech and Flexium Interconnect, provide components for the Apple Watch and AirPods currently. DigiTimes has been a mixed source of reputable information, often flooded with ‘insider’ tips from Asian suppliers of varying accuracy.

However, new AirPod listings were added recently to the Bluetooth Special Interest Group's regulatory database in November that support the Bluetooth 5.0 specification. Current AirPods are not water resistant and cannot handle excessive exposure or submersion in liquids. A future third-generation AirPod that is water resistant and possibly features a new design is expected in 2020.

Apple Watch Integration

The new AirPods are also expected to work well with the latest versions of Apple Watch, thus enabling smooth sharing of health data. Apple Watch made headlines last year with its new electrocardiogram functionality right from your wrist.

Hey Siri Functionality

A "Hey Siri" configuration tool discovered in Apple's latest iOS 12.2 beta by 9to5Mac's Guilherme Rambo, suggests that Apple’s newer AirPod model will be able to interact with Siri directly. The setup matches other “Hey Siri'“ prompts but mentions AirPods for the first time. Prior to this software iteration, the Siri configuration model was limited to the iPhone only. This new functionality offers great convenience as a user wearing AirPods can call upon Siri without having to pull out their handset. Also as this functionality is not available on current models, its presence suggests the arrival of a new model of AirPods in the near future.

Back in 2018, Bloomberg suggested that Apple was updating its wireless headphones to include a “Hey Siri” component. Last year’s December report by analyst Ming-Chi Kuo also predicted the use of a revised W-series chip in the next version of AirPods. This chip would able to power desired “Hey Siri” functionality.

HomePods Arrive in China and Hong Kong at Last

Earlier this month, Apple launched the HomePod in China and Hong Kong, after almost a year since the Siri-enabled speaker was released to market. The HomePod sells for roughly 2,799 yuan (about $413 in China and HK$2,799 (about $356) in Hong Kong, according to Apple's online stores. The HomePod is immediately available in both countries, with convenient one business day shipping. Apple promoted the audio speaker’s release with regional specifications for Siri to include popular favorites such as “Cantopop” and “Mandopop” to play specific radio stations in Apple Music and artists such as Corsak, Gong and Lu Xianghui.

Apple May Soon Develop Health-Tracking AirPods While Facing Stiff Competition

Health monitoring features may be coming to Air Pods but Apple faces some stiff competition from two other tech giants keen on getting a large share of the market, Amazon and Google. While Air Pods have been used on both Apple and Android devices, the devices are designed for iPhone use, enabling Siri use.

Based on the various patents Apple has applied for pertaining to ear bud features and functionality including biometric sensors, new health-tracking AirPods could be used for detecting health data. The AirPods could possibly also integrate with the Apple Watch. Industry analysts expect that Apple may create AirPods with wireless charging support and a Bluetooth specification upgrade in early 2019.

Both Amazon and Google are working on their own consumer devices with Goertek and Unitech to create their own AirPod-like earpieces. Both tech giants offer Apple stiff competition in the space given the dominance of their individual brands and Amazon’s powerful voice assistant service. Amazon and Google versions of AirPods are expected to ship in the second half of 2019, with 10 to 20 million units. AirPods are expected to ship in large numbers in 2019, with 55 million units, then up to 80 million by 2020, and as high as 110 million AirPods shipped by 2021.