'AirTags' & 'AirPods Studio' won't be announced at 'iPhone 12' event, says leaker

AppleInsider

Jon Prosser claims that Apple is delaying "AirTags" to March 2021, and that while the "AirPods Studio" headphones will not be launched in October, they are due soon and pricing will start at $350, with a $599 luxury model possible.

Ahead of Apple's October 13 event, regular leaker Jon Prosser has claimed that the rumored "AirTags" will no longer be feature. Instead, they are to be announced in March 2021.

So, about AirTags.

This one hurts my heart...

I'm being told that Apple has pushed back the announcement and launch of AirTags to March of 2021. https://t.co/xtUvCAFmoE pic.twitter.com/DIUlcp01Xy

-- Jon Prosser (@jon_prosser)

October 9, 2020

He also further described the forthcoming Tile-like peripherals as having a "white front (no logo)." Specifically, the Apple logo will be on the polished metal back of the "AirTags."

Separately, Prosser has revealed more details of the "AirPods Studio" over-the-ear headphones, while stressing that these will not be released at the October 13 event.

AirPods Studio

The renders that I shared last month seem to be the luxury variant -- made of leather/metal.

I'm being told they'll retail for.... $599

There will be another sport-like variant made of cheaper materials for $350.

They WILL NOT be at the October 13 event. https://t.co/awunRlGrD4 pic.twitter.com/le2cfmlC9P

-- Jon Prosser (@jon_prosser)

October 9, 2020

In the Twitter thread, Prosser says that there will be at least two variations of the "AirPods Studio" headphones. One is to be a "luxury" model with "high quality" metal and leather highlights, which will retail for $599.

A second "sport-like variant" that is "made of cheaper materials," will start at $350. That would make them $100 more than the current AirPods Pro.

Previously, Prosser has said that an initial batch of "AirPods Studio" would be ready by the end of October, with shipping in November.

starof80

I don’t trust John, he doesn’t exactly have the best track record (according to Apple Track, last I looked he had a low 70% accuracy rating)

ios_guy80

I did not know that Apple made cheap products. Maybe a more appropriate phrase is less expensive.

gmgravytrain

A luxury model for $599?  That's just ridiculous.

red oak

Apple has a lot in the pipeline. 

It’s understandable AirTags may need more time.  Hopefully there are no issues with engineering and final production tests.  I bet Apple is being more careful after AirPower was pulled

itguyinsd

red oak said:

Apple has a lot in the pipeline. 

It’s understandable AirTags may need more time.  Hopefully there are no issues with engineering and final production tests.  I bet Apple is being more careful after AirPower was pulled

I disagree.  Apple has separate teams of people working on projects.  There is a team of people that work on AirTags so other products in the pipeline should have nothing to do with the AirTag team. 

I'm personally losing interest.  It's sounding more and more like an AirPower product than something that will actually be released.  

wood1208

Few left over product announcement will be in November including Apple Silicon based MAC. Interesting Apple split one big product announcement into multiple and that can be norm going forward.

stuartf

My thoughts are why launch AirTags when a significant amount of the population is avoiding going out and mixing which will be worsened by winter in the Northern hemisphere

The concept of AirTags needs lots of people with iPhones interacting with these devices to create the value.

Waiting until spring and hopefully progress out of the pandemic makes sense

People losing things which are found makes a much more compelling story than simply lost items

Stuart

red oak

ITGUYINSD said:

red oak said:

Apple has a lot in the pipeline. 

It’s understandable AirTags may need more time.  Hopefully there are no issues with engineering and final production tests.  I bet Apple is being more careful after AirPower was pulled

I disagree.  Apple has separate teams of people working on projects.  There is a team of people that work on AirTags so other products in the pipeline should have nothing to do with the AirTag team. 

I'm personally losing interest.  It's sounding more and more like an AirPower product than something that will actually be released.  

I'm also disappointed.  The remote work from home and world-wide travel restrictions must be having impacts on schedules.  It will be a red flag for me if AirTags got so close and they then (for whatever reason) decided not to bring it to market.  

There is a potential November event.   But that increasingly looks to be just for Apple Silicon MacBooks 

edited October 2020

kuyangkoh

Too many Gadgets with little Budget like me.....hahaha

rayz2016

stuartf said:

My thoughts are why launch AirTags when a significant amount of the population is avoiding going out and mixing which will be worsened by winter in the Northern hemisphere

The concept of AirTags needs lots of people with iPhones interacting with these devices to create the value.

Waiting until spring and hopefully progress out of the pandemic makes sense

People losing things which are found makes a much more compelling story than simply lost items

Stuart

Mmmmm

Good thinking. You may have hit the nail on the head.

What Apple doesn't want is lots of people saying how useless they are because the network is staying at home.

canukstorm

Mark Gurman is saying to expect the AirPods Studio at the October event

"The new iPhone line will be Apple’s most important product launch of the year and follows the release of new Apple Watches earlier this month. The company is also preparing to announce its first Apple-branded over-ear headphones and a smaller version of the HomePod speaker as early as this month."

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-10-09/apple-prepares-to-launch-5g-iphones-into-unready-u-s-market

edited October 2020

onpartybusiness

I’m still holding out hope for the HomePod mini to be announced. Perfect timing for the use of those of us who are at high pandemic risk and are staying at home.