Multiple sources claim AirPods 3 won’t be part of Apple’s March event,

#appleevents #applemarchevents #appleevents2021 #marcheventsapple2021

We’re expecting Apple to announce a spring event any day now that brings new iPad and hopefully some surprises. But apparently, one new product that won’t be part of any March event is the next generation of Apple’s AirPods.

On Monday, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo reported that the new AirPods are not scheduled to go into mass production until the third quarter of this year, which likely signals a fall release. Kuo’s statement was backed up on Tuesday by Weibo poster l0vetodream, who has correctly leaked Apple info in the past, including Apple’s M1 MacBook Pro and MacBook Air, the HomePod mini, and more.

Last week, LeaksApplePro tweeted photos of the purported AirPods 3, which have shorter stems and earbuds that look like those on the AirPods Pro, but without the ear tips. LeaksApplePro claimed that the new AirPods would be part of Apple’s March release, a rumor that now runs counter to Kuo and lOvetodream. With so many leaks, we expected the new AirPods would be arriving within weeks, but perhaps that’s no longer that case.

Apple’s current AirPods were released in 2019, a follow-up to the original AirPods that shipped in 2016. Anticipation has been building for a new model for months now, as the current version is overdue for an overhaul.

The original AirPods not only became a hit, but they also became something of a pop culture phenomenon, with their instantly-recognizable stems that brought valuable brand recognition to Apple. The company doesn’t release numbers of units sold, but analysts have estimated that Apple’s business from AirPods is equal to that of a Fortune 500 company.

The success of the original AirPods led Apple to expand the line, first with the AirPods Pro, which higher-end wireless earbuds with noise-cancellation features, and more recently with the $549 over-ear AirPods Max studio headphones for demanding users who want the best sound experience.

So if there won’t be any AirPods at a March event, what will be revealed? Rumors have been circulating that Apple could release a new iPad Pro, and wireless tracking devices called AirTags. The rumors also included AirPods 3, but if Kuo and l0vetodream’s reports hold true, this could be a smaller event than expected—or there are product updates that haven’t leaked.

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Roman has covered technology since the early 1990s. His career started at MacUser, and he's worked for MacAddict, Mac|Life, and TechTV.

Apple's iPad Pro event might be in April, not March

Some of Apple’s events happen like clockwork, but that’s not the case with its next one, which we keep hearing new dates for, with the latest leak suggesting it won’t happen until April.

This comes from Jon Prosser, a leaker who, in fairness, had previously said the next Apple event would happen on March 23, and before that March 16. So we wouldn’t count on this latest claim being any more accurate, especially as Apple usually holds an event in March rather than April.

Prosser claims he’ll be explaining more on his Front Page Tech YouTube show, but for now a claim of April is all we have (along with Prosser claiming he’ll shave his eyebrows over getting the date wrong previously).

Until we have more information, we’d take this time frame with a serious helping of salt, especially as Prosser wasn’t the only source previously pointing to March. But it wouldn’t be totally surprising if the event slipped to April, especially as we still haven’t heard anything official about it yet. And if it does, OnePlus is sure to be happy, as the OnePlus 9 range is landing on March 23.

So what can we expect at this Apple event? That’s also uncertain, but rumors point to the iPad Pro (2021), the long-rumored Apple AirTags, and the Apple AirPods 3.

Those are the three things that have been most frequently linked to the event, but some sources have also pointed to a new Apple TV and the iPad mini 6, and we can’t rule out other announcements either, such as new Mac hardware.

It’s very unlikely that all of these devices will appear at this Apple event, but if even a few of them do then it could be a significant and exciting launch. TechRadar will be covering the event in full whenever it happens, and we’ll also let you know as soon as we have a clearer idea of when that might be.

Apple could unveil a new iPad Pro, AirPods 3 and AirTags this MONTH as leakers claim tech giant is hosting a launch event on March 23

Apple is expected to unveil a new iPad Pro, AirPods and AirTags – its long-rumoured high-tech tag device for tracking everyday items – on March 23.

AirTags are expected to be small, circular devices with an Apple logo in the centre, possibly equipped with Bluetooth connectivity.

Users will be able to find lost items like wallets, keys, luggage or even a stolen bicycle if they have an AirTag attached to them.

The rumoured launch event date is courtesy of a respected China-based leaker with a decent track record who goes by the name of Kang.

Kang (康总) is a 'mysterious but spot-on' China-based source sharing news on social media site Weibo, according to Apple Track, a blog that keeps tabs on Apple rumours 'and the sources that publish them'.

Apple is expected to unveil a new iPad Pro, AirPods and AirTags on March 23. AirTags are Apple's rumoured tracking system for the 'Find My' app. Each will be small, circular and made to be attached to everyday items (pictured here in supposed leak previously published by MacRumors)

'Kang knows exactly what Apple is working on – to the tee,' said Apple Track, which gives him or her a 97.8 per cent 'rumour accuracy'.

Another phone leaker Jon Prosser – who has a 78.2 per cent rating on Apple Track – already claimed March 23 is the date of Apple's unveiling event.

Earlier this month, he tweeted '23' – and added that AirTags, iPad Pro, AirPods are also ready to reveal, as well as a new Apple TV.

March 23 is also the alleged date of a launch event from Chinese smartphone maker OnePlus, for its upcoming OnePlus 9, suggesting the two firms will go head to head.

AirTags

The most exciting product expected to be announced by Apple is arguably AirTags, which are said to have been in development for years.

The small circular tracking tags would help users find any personal item that has an AirTag attached, by using on a map on the 'Find My' app.

Find My lets people track the whereabouts of their Apple devices, such as iPad, Mac, Apple Watch and AirPods, in case they get lost – but AirTags will extend this to other everyday, non-electronic items.

If the lost item is in the vicinity, such as around the house somewhere, users would be able to click an option for the AirTag to emit a noise to help them locate it, just like items already supported by the Find My app.

If the lost item with an AirTag attached was further afield – for example, if it was accidentally left in a bar in the next town – users could find it on the map.

If the item was stolen, the owner could potentially find out the address of the person who took it, as long as it still had the AirTag attached.

Rumours that Apple is developing item tracking tags first surfaced in September 2019 when MacRumors released leaked screenshots of a new 'Items' tab in the 'Find My' app.

Rumours that Apple is developing item tracking tags first surfaced in September last year when MacRumors released leaked screenshots of an item-tracking sub menu being developed for the 'Find My' app

The product was reportedly been given the code-name 'B389' during its development but is expected to be sold under the name 'AirTags'

It's believed personal items like keys and wallets that have AirTags attached to them will show up under the 'Items' tab on the app.

In April last year, Apple mistakenly uploaded a support video to YouTube that revealed the existence of AirTags, which was quickly removed.

The video, entitled 'How to erase your iPhone', mentioned AirTags in a shot of Settings for the Find My app.

In April last year, Apple mistakenly uploaded a support video to YouTube that revealed the existence of AirTags, which was quickly removed

AirPods

On March 23, Apple is also expected to reveal its third-generation AirPods – the wireless Bluetooth headphones that come with their own charging case.

The second-gen AirPods, which were unveiled two years ago, start at £159. AirPods Pro, with additional noise cancellation technology and water resistance, cost £249.

According to MacRumors, Apple is working on more affordable 'entry-level' AirPods – albeit with a lack of higher-end features like active noise cancellation.

Apple is already pushing consumers towards AirPods. iPhone 12, released last October, didn't include a pair of standard wired headphones (EarPods) in the box, unlike its predecessors, prompting outrage from some buyers.

The decision not to include wired EarPods in the box of the iPhone 12 should turn consumers towards its £250 AirPods Pro (left) and AirPods (right)

Cheaper AirPods will therefore come as good news for iPhone fans – although consumers can still buy EarPods for an extra £19.

Another leaker, Ming-Chi Kuo, also noted that Apple is expected to release new models of AirPods in 2021, 9to5Mac reported last year.

iPad Pro

Lastly, the new fifth-generation iPad Pro will be available in the same sizes like its predecessor – 11-inch and 12.9-inch – according to Japanese site Mac Otakara, citing Chinese supply chain sources.

But the fifth-generation will have a 'significantly improved' processor from the Apple A12Z in the fourth generation, Mac Otakara said.

Other sources cited by MacRumors have also suggested Apple will also release new iPad Pro models with mini-LED displays and faster processors.

MailOnline has contacted Apple for comment regarding the date of its next launch event and what will be revealed.

Apple is expected to livestream the March 23 unveiling event online without an in-person audience, like its recent events, due to the current pandemic

Although the iPhone 13 is not due until the autumn, analysts have already been trading rumours about what it will look like.

In January, it was reported by the Twitter tipster Mauri QHD that Apple has created a prototype iPhone without the black 'notch'.

The rectangular black notch, which has featured on flagship iPhone models since 2017, conceals the phone's front-facing camera components and sensors.

iPHONE 13 RUMOURS

NO NOTCH?

Apple is considering ditching the black 'notch' at the top of the iPhone for its next flagship model, the iPhone 13, according to an online tipster.

The rectangular black notch, which has featured on flagship iPhone models since 2017, conceals the phone's front-facing camera components and sensors.

Pictured, the iPhone 12 marking out the notch and the bezel. Zero bezel effectively means the device's screen blends seamlessly into the edges of the device. The notch's days may soon be numbered on the iPhone, according to Mauri QHD, an Apple tipster on Twitter

But according to the tipster, who goes by the name Mauri QHD on Twitter, Apple has created an iPhone 13 prototype with no notch at all.

The prototype instead puts these important components at the top of the bezel, the border between a screen and a phone's frame.

'There's a prototype with no notch at all, but – a bit – bigger bezels,' Mauri QHD tweeted.

All four sides of bezel on the prototype 'are equally bigger', he added, meaning the top part of the bezel won't stick out further than the others.

The sensor-housing notch was first introduced to the iPhone with 2017's iPhone X – but was mercilessly lambasted by critics and fans alike as a terrible design flaw.

Apple's phone-making rival Samsung even mocked the notch in an ad for its Galaxy Note 8 smartphone at the time, featuring a man with a notch-shaped haircut.

RETURN OF TOUCH ID

A report in January indicated that iPhone 13 would see the return of its Touch ID technology, in the form of an in-screen fingerprint reader.

This would help users unlock their smartphones without having to remove their face masks during the current pandemic.

According to Bloomberg, instead of reintroducing a Home button, the Touch ID technology would be embedded within the new iPhone screen

Apple first introduced Touch ID in 2013 with the iPhone 5S, in the form of a fingerprint reader integrated into the iPhone's home button.

However, Apple started to move away from this technology in 2017, with the introduction of Face ID in the iPhone X.

According to Bloomberg, instead of reintroducing a Home button, the Touch ID technology would be embedded within the iPhone 13 screen.

Rather than being a replacement for Face ID, Touch ID would be an additional method of unlocking the iPhone, according to the report.

CAMERA UPGRADES

iPhone 13 models will feature an upgraded Ultra Wide camera lens with a wider ƒ/1.8 aperture, compared to ƒ/2.4 on iPhone 12 models, according to an investor note shared with MacRumors.

The site said in February: 'A wider aperture would allow for more light to pass through the lens.

'The move from a ƒ/2.4 to ƒ/1.8 aperture [will] likely to result in significantly improved low-light performance when shooting in Ultra Wide mode on iPhone 13 models.'

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