The release of two upcoming Apple accessories may have just been rescheduled. AirTags item trackers jumped up, but AirPods Studio headphones slid back, according to information supposedly leaking out of Cupertino on Wednesday.
AirPods Studio might not be out until spring
Prolific Apple leaker Jon Prosser reported via Twitter that there was a “major hiccup in AirPods Studio production.” This supposedly still might allow the high-end headphones to be announced in November and reach customers hands in December, but it’s equally likely the launch has been scrubbed until March 2021.
Technically, this means that (if everything goes smoothly and no further issues arise) they could still announce in November and ship in December.
But it’s also just as likely that B515 (AirPods Studio) don’t see release until March 2021.
I’ll do my best to keep you updated.
— Jon Prosser (@jon_prosser) October 14, 2020
According to numerous earlier leaks, AirPods Studio would be the first over-the-ears headphones sold under the Apple brand. They’d offer the popular AirPods technology in a design more reminiscent of Beats’ line of headphones.
A previous leak from Prosser indicated Apple was having problems with production and said these might not be out until November. Now the debut has apparently slipped even more.
AirTags could launch in November
This same leaker also said Wednesday that AirTags have been moved up months, apparently to fill the gap left by AirPods Studio. That makes the launch fairly soon. “Currently, they’re on schedule to be released with iOS 14.3 (iOS 14.3 will contain features enabled for AirTags) and iOS 14.3 is supposed to be next month,” Prosser wrote on Twitter. A previous leak indicated that these accessories might not be out until March.
Unlike AirPods Studio, AirTags are and have been done & ready. It’s not even about production timelines for this product, at this point.
It basically comes down to when Apple *feels* it’s the right time to put them out.
— Jon Prosser (@jon_prosser) October 14, 2020
AirTags will supposedly be Apple’s version of item-tracking tags. Attach one of these small gizmos to a keychain or a purse and an iPhone can easy track down the device if it gets misplaced.
Again according to Prosser, Apple has been holding the release until it feels the time is right. Exactly what the company is supposed to be waiting for isn’t clear, but AirTags depend on devices with the U1 Ultra Wideband chip, and so far that’s only the iPhone 11 series. Of course, the just-announced iPhone 12 includes it too.
