Apple, accessories and earphones coming in 2021

2020 has left us with a whole range of new Apple devices. The Cupertino-based company has launched both the iPhone 12 with support for the 5G network, and the new Macs with the M1 chip, passing through the renewed iPad Air, the Apple Watch Series 6 and the interesting HomePod Mini speaker. In this 2021 we expect to see numerous other accessories dedicated to these devices, which would expand the Apple ecosystem. Today we want to give you a little taste of these devices, anticipating what we know about their possible technical characteristics. Among these we will mention the new AirPods and AirPods Pro earphones, along with the much rumored AirTags. Finally, perhaps there will also be room for a new version of the HomePod, hoping that this time it will finally reach our country.

AirTags

These small round devices the size of a two-euro coin, could be the most interesting novelty among Apple accessories in 2021. We have been waiting for them for more than a year now. persistent rumors and confirmations from the various production chains. Once paired with our iPhone, these devices can be placed or hooked in our wallet, on the bunch of keys, in the handbag, on the remote control or generally on any object that can be easily lost. Thanks to the U1 chip present in these devices, the other iPhones, iPads and Macs will be able to quickly detect them in their vicinity, giving us their exact location. In fact, just open the "Where is" application to see where the AirTags are. To facilitate their search, augmented reality can also be used: by framing the space surrounding the iPhone it will show us exactly their position, such as the remote control submerged by the cushions on the sofa. If we find ourselves at a greater distance from that capable of detecting them, other users' Apple devices will come into play. In fact, the software allows, ensuring the complete privacy of users, to detect other lost devices and to report them to their respective owners.

For example, if we have just lost our bunch of keys in a park and have gone home, the AirTag will not be able to communicate its location to our device. In addition to providing us with the data on its last known location, it will be waiting to be found by other Apple devices. If an iPhone owner were to pass in its vicinity, the AirTag will connect to it and via the iPhone will send a message to our Apple device to report its position. A very practical and ingenious way to avoid losing our most precious objects. It is rumored that these devices will be able to be powered by wireless charging and their battery will last several months. The price still remains an unknown, but should be around € 50-60.

AirPods 3

Two years have passed since the last review of the AirPods earphones. The second version released in early 2019 introduced the "Hey Siri" function, wireless charging for their shell and the new H1 chip. Essentially, however, the design, audio quality and functions have remained unchanged compared to the first model released back in 2016. According to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, famous for having anticipated the features of most of the latest Apple devices, the new AirPods earphones 3 will have a completely new design. Apple will take its cue from the shape of the AirPods Pro, then the in-ear headphones with a smaller and more compact design. The goal will be to modernize their appearance and ensure greater comfort thanks to the interchangeable in-ear pads.

Probably inside them we will find the new H2 chip, which will guarantee lower consumption, higher audio quality and in general an improvement in autonomy. Perhaps there will also be room to implement the recent spatial audio function, for the moment an exclusive of the AirPods Pro and AirPods Max. We will not instead see the active noise reduction and transparency mode, which will remain exclusive to the Pro model. size of the earphones, even those of the case should decrease. The shell could also support wireless charging with MagSafe (support is already there on older models, but they don't magnetically attach to the base). The price of this product will probably be around $ 199, slightly lower than that of the AirPods Pro.

AirPods Pro 2

Apple would be aiming to completely renew the design of the top earphones range, taking its cue from its direct competitors. Just like the recent Galaxy Buds Pro, the AirPods Pro 2 could have a more compact shape, without the now classic extension sticking out of our ear. According to recent rumors, Apple would be experiencing some difficulties with this new design, especially for the implementation of active noise reduction and in their autonomy. A radical change of this type is therefore not guaranteed.

What we are expecting instead is a longer battery life, the H2 chip for improving audio quality and an evolution of noise reduction and transparency mode for ensure superior isolation when listening. Again, the case will in all likelihood support wireless charging with MagSafe and its shape may be more compact. The price of these earphones should be around that of the current model, therefore around € 279.

HomePod 2 and HomePod Mini

Finally we also want to talk to you about the HomePod, the home smart speaker with the voice assistant Siri. The first model was announced during WWDC 2017 and unfortunately never arrived in Italy. Apple will likely be considering producing a second model to launch globally, now that the Siri voice assistant has evolved and better supports other languages. The most critical aspect of the HomePod is certainly its price. At $ 359, it's practically out of the market compared to other competitive smart speakers from Amazon or Google. However, it remains a product with truly excellent audio quality, able to adapt to any space in your home. The voice assistant support also allows us to answer messages and calls directly from the smart speaker, without having to use our iPhone. What we expect from its second version is therefore a price reduction, while maintaining the technical characteristics almost unchanged. A simple reinterpretation with the aim of attracting the attention of a greater number of users. Knowing Apple, the price will still not be less than $ 199, but it would already be a good drop for the quality of the product. Siri is also expected to evolve to be able to answer numerous other requests and bridge the gap with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa. In addition to this, new colors could also debut, in addition to the classic black and white currently available. Together with this new version of the HomePod we also expect the arrival of its younger brother HomePod Mini, announced only a few months ago during the event dedicated to the iPhone 12 and also in this case not yet marketed on the Italian market. This small-sized speaker is certainly a good compromise to get the benefits of the Apple ecosystem and the Siri voice assistant in your home, without spending too much money. Its launch price in Italy is expected to be around € 99 and will probably arrive by the end of the year.