Apple has launched the next generation of AirTag, bringing expanded connectivity range and significantly improved findability to its tracking device.  

“The next generation of AirTag — the bestselling item finder — is even easier to locate with more powerful Precision Finding, a longer Bluetooth range and a louder speaker,” Apple announced in its new blog post on Monday.

The second-generation AirTag features more powerful Precision Finding and an extended Bluetooth range. This is expected to help users locate items even from farther away. The louder speaker is meant to help with quicker identification nearby.

“Powered by the strength of the Find My network, AirTag allows users to keep tabs on their belongings every single day,” the company said.

What’s New

The new AirTag is powered by Apple’s second-generation Ultra Wideband chip. This chip is also used across the newest iPhone and Apple Watch models. According to Apple, the new updates allow Precision Finding to work up to 50% farther away, making lost items easier to track down. 

For this, users are guided with clear haptic, visual and audio cues. A new Bluetooth chip extends the distance at which an AirTag can be detected. “For the first time, users can use Precision Finding on Apple Watch Series 9 or later, or Apple Watch Ultra 2 or later, to find their AirTag, bringing a powerful experience to the wrist,” Apple said.

Additionally, the new AirTag features an updated internal design that makes it 50% louder than before. This allows it to be heard from up to twice the distance. 

“Paired with its enhanced Precision Finding capabilities and distinctive new chime, AirTag now makes it easier for users to find their important items, such as keys hidden deep in between couch cushions or a wallet as they head out the door,” the blog post read.

“The new AirTag integrates seamlessly with Share Item Location, an iOS feature designed to help users recover a misplaced item by temporarily and securely sharing its location with trusted third parties, such as airlines, so they can assist in recovering delayed luggage or other lost items,” Apple added.

According to the US tech giant, the new AirTag is built with a focus on privacy and ensures that the location data is not stored on the device. Apple also said that its new AirTag uses 85% recycled plastic, 100%recycled rare earth elements in its magnets and recycled gold in circuit boards. Its fibre-based packaging is also fully recyclable.

The price of one AirTag is $29 (around Rs 2,650), while a pack of four comes at $99 (around Rs 9,000).

Apple is laying off more than 600 workers in California, marking the company’s first big wave of post-pandemic job cuts amid a broader wave of tech industry consolidation.
| Photo Credit: AP

Apple is laying off more than 600 workers in California, marking the company’s first big wave of post-pandemic job cuts amid a broader wave of tech industry consolidation.

The iPhone maker notified 614 workers in multiple offices on March 28 that they were losing their jobs, with the layoffs becoming effective on May 27, according to reports to regional authorities.

The workers were cut from eight offices in Santa Clara, according to the filings under the state’s Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act, also known as WARN. But it’s not clear which departments or projects the employees were involved in.

Also Read | Apple working on personal robot that can follow people around their homes: Report

Apple did not immediately respond to a request for comment early Friday.

The Cupertino, California, company had been a notable exception as other tech companies slashed their workforces over the past two years. There was a massive surge in hiring during the COVID-19 pandemic, when people spent more time and money online, and big tech companies are still larger than they were before the pandemic. Still, as growth slows, companies are focusing on cutting costs to bolster their bottom lines.

Amazon announced earlier this week a fresh round of layoffs, this time at its cloud computing business AWS.

In recent months, video game maker Electronic Arts said it’s cutting about 5% of its workforce, Sony said its axing about 900 jobs in its PlayStation division, Cisco Systems revealed plans to lay off more than 4,000 workers and social media company Snap, owner of Snapchat, announced its slashing 10% of its global workforce.

Apple is laying off more than 600 workers in California, marking the company’s first big wave of post-pandemic job cuts amid a broader wave of tech industry consolidation.
| Photo Credit: AP

Apple is laying off more than 600 workers in California, marking the company’s first big wave of post-pandemic job cuts amid a broader wave of tech industry consolidation.

The iPhone maker notified 614 workers in multiple offices on March 28 that they were losing their jobs, with the layoffs becoming effective on May 27, according to reports to regional authorities.

The workers were cut from eight offices in Santa Clara, according to the filings under the state’s Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act, also known as WARN. But it’s not clear which departments or projects the employees were involved in.

Also Read | Apple working on personal robot that can follow people around their homes: Report

Apple did not immediately respond to a request for comment early Friday.

The Cupertino, California, company had been a notable exception as other tech companies slashed their workforces over the past two years. There was a massive surge in hiring during the COVID-19 pandemic, when people spent more time and money online, and big tech companies are still larger than they were before the pandemic. Still, as growth slows, companies are focusing on cutting costs to bolster their bottom lines.

Amazon announced earlier this week a fresh round of layoffs, this time at its cloud computing business AWS.

In recent months, video game maker Electronic Arts said it’s cutting about 5% of its workforce, Sony said its axing about 900 jobs in its PlayStation division, Cisco Systems revealed plans to lay off more than 4,000 workers and social media company Snap, owner of Snapchat, announced its slashing 10% of its global workforce.