Apple
- Apple’s rumored AirTags accessories have entered production, according to a report from Nikkei Asian Review.
- AirTags are said to be small, Tile-like Bluetooth trackers designed to help users find lost items using their iPhone.
- The report comes as Apple is expected to reveal a new iPhone and other products this month.
- Visit Business Insider’s homepage for more stories.
For months, rumors and reports have suggested that Apple is working on an all-new product called AirTags that would help users locate lost items — like keys and wallets — with their iPhone. Now, that product has entered production, according to a new report from Nikkei Asian Review.
The report notes that Apple’s AirTags accessory has gone into production, but does not offer any additional details. The outlet also reported on Tuesday that Apple is beginning production of its lineup of 5G iPhones in mid-September, representing a delay by several weeks, compared to its usual production cycle.
Apple did not immediately respond to Business Insider’s request for comment.
AirTags are said to be small devices that are designed to stick on to everyday items, much like Tile’s Bluetooth-enabled trackers, according to reports from 9to5Mac, MacRumors, and TF International Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.
They will look like small, circular tags with the Apple logo, 9to5Mac and MacRumors reported after accessing an internal build of Apple’s iPhone software. The accessories are expected to integrate with Apple’s “Find My” app, and some of the internal code suggested that the app could use augmented reality to display visual markers for guiding users toward their lost item, as MacRumors reported.
Samsung showcased a similar feature for using augmented reality to locate lost items when introducing its Samsung Galaxy Note 20 and Note 20 Ultra in August.
As reports have emerged about AirTags, Apple has also added technology to the iPhone that would make its smartphones better at location tracking. The company's iPhone 11 lineup comes with a new U1 chip that includes ultra-wideband technology, a short-range wireless communication protocol that helps smartphones better understand their surroundings.
Launching a product like AirTags could further boost Apple's wearables, home, and accessories business, which has boomed in recent years thanks to the popularity of products like the Apple Watch and AirPods. That product category — along with the company's services business — has been critical for Apple during periods of slowing iPhone sales.
The reports that AirTags have entered production comes as Apple is expected to announce new iPhones and new Apple Watch models this month. Luca Maestri, Apple's chief financial officer and senior vice president, said in July that the company expects supply of the next iPhone to be delayed by a few weeks compared to last year's iPhone launch.
The company, however, has not yet indicated when it may unveil its next-generation iPhone 12, which is expected to support 5G and come in new sizes options.