Apple AirTag 2 could be delayed until 2025 and it might be the Vision Pro’s fault

Possible development issues could be behind the delay

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It looks like people will have to wait even longer to get their hands on theAirTag 2as recent rumors claim thatAppleis delaying the release of its tracker until 2025.

This nugget of information comes from Apple analyst and notable industry insiderMing-Chi Kuo who dropped the bombshell on X(the platform formerly known as Twitter). The AirTag 2 was supposed to be released by the end of 2023, but then that got pushed back to late 2024. Now, we’re adding another year to the clock. Assuming this is all true, it means users are being forced to stick with an aging device as there will be a four-year gap between theoriginal AirTagsand the second generation.

It’s unknown why Apple is delaying the launch. The only other piece of news Kuo said on X is that the tech giant has scheduled mass production of the tracker for 2025. However, we believe a clue can be found in hisAugust post.

Potential compatibility

A couple of months ago, Kuo claimed Apple wants to integrate AirTag 2 into a “spatial computing… ecosystem” with the “Vision Pro as the core”.

If you’re not familiar with the concept, spatial computing can be considered to be a more advanced version of augmented reality by combining virtual and physical worlds into a seamless, immersive experience. TheVision Proheadset gives people a way to interact with this digital environment. Somehow in some way, the AirTag 2 is supposed to be part of this space.MacRumors, in their report, postulates that maybe the tracker will send “positional information” to the headset via its ultra-wideband chip.

What this means for spatial computing is anyone’s guess. It’s possible the device could serve as a beacon to help the Vision Pro establish a virtual space. Or perhaps it may offer more precise tracking through an improved ultra-wideband chip. We can only speculate at this point.

It is worth mentioning that Vision Pro is scheduled for a 2024 launch. Once it comes out, we could see the AirTag 2 pop up soon after.

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Future of trackers

If and when the AirTag 2 does release, Apple will need to bring its A-game because it is facing some stiff competition from rivals. A few weeks ago,Samsunglaunched theGalaxy SmartTag2which features a massive battery life of up to 700 days plus a “compact, ring-shaped design to help you attach it to objects.” Google was supposed to debut its own tag during thePixel 8event, but it never materialized.

It’s possibleGoogle is waiting for Apple to finally add unknown tracker alerts to iOSso it can roll out the overdueAndroid Find My Devicenetwork update. Once that’s done, it’ll move forward with the launch of theGoogleAirTag, as we call it. Hopefully, Apple doesn’t drag its feet and update iOS in two years to coincide with the AirTag 2.

While we have you check out TechRadar’s latest roundup of thebest Apple AirTag deals for October 2023.

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Cesar Cadenas has been writing about the tech industry for several years now specializing in consumer electronics, entertainment devices, Windows, and the gaming industry. But he’s also passionate about smartphones, GPUs, and cybersecurity.

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