Four years after the first AirTag debuted, Apple is planning to ship its successor later this year. When AirTag 2 arrives, it will include one feature in particular that could have the biggest impact—for both Apple and users.
AirTag 2 feature improvements include speaker protection
AirTag has proven useful in a variety of ways since its launch, but it’s also come with some privacy issues, particularly around stalking.
Apple has made improvements through various software updates to address those concerns, but even more changes are coming with AirTag 2.
Mark Gurman writes at Bloomberg about the upcoming privacy improvements:
[They include] making it more difficult for someone to remove the speaker from the AirTag. Since the device launched in 2021, some people have unfortunately used the product as a tool for stalking — and removing the speaker makes it less likely for someone to discover a hidden AirTag.
It’s unknown exactly how Apple intends to accomplish this change. But if it’s successful, it will have eliminated one of the most used stalker tactics.
AirTag 2 keeping its speaker in-tact means users can take greater assurance that they’re not being tracked without their consent.
Some users might be concerned about this change, even well-intended ones. For example, I’ve seen reports of users having their own AirTag play a loud sound at inconvenient times and locations. These noises can scare pets, interrupt business meetings, or otherwise have unintended negative consequences.
Hopefully, Apple is keeping these possibilities in mind with its AirTag 2 development. Perhaps software changes can ensure that unwanted noise alerts become a thing of the past.
If AirTag 2’s speaker protection and overall privacy improvements prove successful, they will make a huge difference not only in keeping users safer, but also saving Apple from the negative PR the original AirTag has stirred up.
What do you think of Apple’s AirTag 2 feature plans? Let us know in the comments.
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