9to5Mac reported on Monday that it has dug up imagery hidden in the freshly released iOS 12.2 update of what appears to be a new version of Apple’s Beats Powerbeats headphones, dubbed Powerbeats Pro, that really are wireless.
It also seems to have once again teased its AirPower charging mat on packaging for second-generation AirPod charging cases.
Powerbeats, manufactured by Apple subsidiary Beats, are a more fitness-friendly (and expensive) variation of Apple’s AirPods with a battery life of up to 12 hours and a more customisable fit. The ones already on the market are joined by a wire and charge via USB; the images dug up by 9to5Mac appear to show that the Pro has been updated to ditch the connecting wire and use a charging case, just like AirPods. In terms of form factor, they look much like the old Powerbeats, just with a slicker, more angular design.
As 9to5Mac noted, a report on CNET late last week suggested that the Powerbeats Pro will include updated hardware that matches second-generation AirPods and support the “Hey Siri” mode:
Last week’s report suggested that the truly wireless Powerbeats 4 will be available sometime next month. The report also mentioned that the new Powerbeats will include the same upgraded H1 chip as the second-generation AirPods, as well as “Hey Siri” support. Powerbeats3 currently retail for $199 [$AU281], but are often available cheaper from third-parties. Pricing for Powerbeats Pro is unclear, but given that iOS 12.2 includes the assets for the new headphones, we’ll likely learn all of the details soon.
Speaking of those AirPods 2, some customers have already been receiving them—and the packaging for its Wireless Charging Case appears to show a diagram of the unreleased AirPower wireless charging mat.
That device, slated to be able to charge AirPods, Apple Watches, and iPhones simultaneously, has also been teased in iPhone XS packaging and on the Apple website.
Yes pic.twitter.com/nAQIWX3B5G
— Chris J. Caine (@ChrisJCaine) March 25, 2019
MacRumors has another shot of the case with the AirPower diagram on it, so this does appear to be legit!
AirPower was first announced in 2017 but has been repeatedly delayed, with competitors releasing their own versions in the meantime.
A report in the Wall Street Journal earlier this month stated that Apple “approved production” of AirPower this year, and rumours have been circulating that it will be released in the coming weeks or months.
That said, Apple has reportedly been bedeviled with technical issues on the device (the biggest of which was heat management), so take the above with a grain of salt.
It’s possible that the packaging is a publicity ploy for a product that is still far away, or simply that Apple approved the charging case’s packaging before they decided the idea just wouldn’t work. If you want a hard answer, ask this friendly ghost.
[9to5Mac]