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9to5Mac announced on Monday that it has discovered hidden images in the recent iOS 12.2 update of what appears to be a new version of Apple's Beats Powerbeats, dubbed Powerbeats Pro, which is truly wireless. It also seems to have once again teased its AirPower charging mat on the packaging of the second-generation AirPod charging cases.
The Powerbeats, manufactured by the Apple subsidiary, Beats, are a variant of Apple's AirPods more suited to fitness (and more expensive), with a range of up to 12 hours and a more customizable fit. Those already on the market are connected by wire and loaded via USB; the images extracted by 9to5Mac seem to indicate that the Pro has been updated to abandon the connection wire and use a charging box, in the manner of AirPods. In terms of form factor, they look a lot like the old Powerbeats, with just a smoother, more angular design.
As 9to5 Mac noted, a CNET report released late last week suggested that the Powerbeats Pro would include updated hardware that matches the second generation AirPods and supported the "Hey Siri" mode:
Last week's report suggested that the true Wireless Powerbeats 4 would be available next month. The report also states that the new Powerbeats will include the same upgraded H1 chip as the second-generation AirPods, as well as "Hey Siri" support. Powerbeats3 are currently selling for US $ 199, but are often available at lower prices from third parties. The prices of Powerbeats Pro are unclear, but since iOS 12.2 includes the resources of the new headset, we will probably learn all the details soon.
Speaking of these AirPods 2, some customers have already received them – and the packaging of its wireless charging box seems to show a diagram of the new AirPower Wireless Charging Carpet. This device, which should be able to simultaneously charge AirPods, Apple watches and iPhones, has also been announced in the iPhone XS package and on the Apple website.
MacRumors has another photo of the case with the AirPower diagram on it, so this seems to be legit!
AirPower was announced for the first time in 2017, but has been delayed several times, with competitors publishing their own version in the meantime. An article in The Wall Street Journal earlier this month indicated that Apple had "approved the production" of AirPower this year, and rumors are circulating that it would be released in the next few weeks or the next month.
That being said, Apple would have been the victim of technical problems (the most important of which was heat management), so take the question above with a grain of salt. It's possible that the packaging is an advertising ploy for a product that is still distant, or simply that Apple has approved the packaging of the charging box before deciding that the idea simply would not work. If you want a difficult answer, ask this friendly ghost.
[9to5Mac]
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