Sometimes it’s the source code that offers the clearest road map as to forthcoming Apple products.
A group of new audio accessories could be en route, and references to new AirPods and Beats earphones within the iOS 16.4 Release Candidate software have offered hints as to what to expect.
New personal audio accessories could be on the way, with the release candidate beta of iOS 16.4 including references to new AirPods and Beats earphones.
Apple introduced the Release Candidate version of iOS 16.4 and iPadOS 16.4 on Tuesday, giving developers a look at the operating system update that should be released to the public in the near future. According to developer “Aaron” on Twitter, there are references to new AirPods models in the release candidate. The references mention a model number of AirPods, A3048, as well as another for an AirPods case, A2968.
While the leak doesn’t offer specific product details or definitive release dates, they seem to indicate an upcoming AirPods product. This also jibes with claims that analysts have made predicting that an AirPods Lite product could be on the way. The AirPods Lite has been said to be a more budget-friendly model with a reduced feature list to help cut costs. There have also been murmurings of a new AirPods Max model.
At the same time as the AirPods reference discovery, the same leak may also be offering information on a new Beats earphone model. 9to5Mac claims there is support for an unreleased model, the Beats Studio Buds+.
It’s been rumored that the update to the existing Beats Studio Buds would include audio sharing, automatic device switching, and Hey Siri support, which do not appear in the original release, and also feature an Apple-developed chip instead of the one made by Beats.
Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.
Via AppleInsider, @aaronp613 and 9to5Mac