iOS 13.2 Beta Includes Icon Depicting New AirPods Design

[MacRumors]

Apple has been rumored to be working on a third generation of AirPods with active noise control (ANC), also known as noise cancellation, or active noise reduction (ANR). Noted analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has suggested the updated AirPods could launch late this year or early next year with an "all-new design."

Today's iOS 13.2 beta release includes an icon showing redesigned AirPods that appear to have rubber ear tips that would likely be needed as part of a noise cancelation feature.

The file name includes reference to a B298 code name, and the image is contained in the Accessibility Settings folder. This could suggest these new AirPods will contain a new accessibility feature such as being able to use them as hearing aids, or it could be related to existing Live Listen capabilities.

There's no specific word on when the new AirPods could debut, but Apple has a number of rumored pending announcements that could point toward an October media event.

Update 11:55 AM: As noted by a MacRumors reader, a claimed photo leak last month from 52 Audio bears a strong resemblance to the image found in iOS 13.2, suggesting the leak may be accurate.

Article Link: iOS 13.2 Beta Includes Icon Depicting New AirPods Design

 

[jsmith189]

No no no no no no no. Literally the best thing about Apple headphones to me are that they don’t require you to suction them into your brain. I just can’t use them. Truly hope this isn’t a “new design” and instead just an option.

 

[JPack]

Water resistance, here we come!

 

[Fynd]

Take my money. Also... please offer them in colors, preferably black.

 

[iMatt.]

Yes please!

I love my AirPods, but unfortunately a part of the small % of people whose ears they don't fit/stay in so I have to use some cheap silicone covers.

This would be very welcomed in my opinion.

 

[Sebosz]

God, no, I hate earphones with rubber ear tips! They a l w a y s fall out! That's the main reason I'm using AirPods!

 

[alexandr]

oy. this does not look good.

 

[kanki1985]

Airpods with short stem and in ear seal.. I am ready to let go of my Powerbeats Pro right now..

 

[MadDog31]

No no no no no no no. Literally the best thing about Apple headphones to me are that they don’t require you to suction them into your brain. I just can’t use them. Truly hope this isn’t a “new design” and instead just an option.

Agreed. I love the simplicity of the current AirPods. I don't need noise canceling that badly. Plus, and this is my own problem, but I tend to...uh, produce more wax than the average person...so that would certainly require more maintenance on that front and I'm already a freak about it. Keep it simple, Apple, and let the noise cancelers get the Beats.

 

[norm2816]

I just got my 2nd gen AirPods what the f Apple!

 

[Eduardo1971]

Great!
I just bought the new AirPods when they were released earlier this year.

I’ll give those to my son and buy the news for myself.

 

[miniyou64]

Yes Apple. Please redesign every single one of your flagship products wih issues that completely prevent people from being able to use them.

 

[oghowie]

Chill out folks. They aren't discontinuing the other Airpods.

 

[fmcshan]

I love my AirPods but the 2nd gen only contained minor improvements of the 1st gen model. I also don't like how my AirPods fall out when I'm doing any sort of physical activity. Excited to see what Apple has in store for us!

 

[norm2816]

Hmmm. they look to be AirPod Pros lol

 

[acgmph]

I guess YMMV, but I prefer this new design. I am waiting for the October event to decide if I wait for an Apple product or get the new Sony WF-1000XM3 (such a terrible name...). I am not a fan of the current AirPod design.

 

[Mabus51]

Yuck ? I can’t use this style. Complete miss for me.

 

[Wig321]

They look uncomfortable..

 

[Rychiar]

horrible. stick with the current design. those kinda fall out constantly and get extra gross

 

[kyleh22]

I hope they look better than microsoft's new headphones...

 

[mgollaher92]

mother ... just bought my AirPods 2 less than 24 hours ago because the rumor mill has been fairly dry lately.

 

[Pipper99]

No no no no no no no. Literally the best thing about Apple headphones to me are that they don’t require you to suction them into your brain. I just can’t use them. Truly hope this isn’t a “new design” and instead just an option.

I know, right? I love the airpods because they don't have to be stuffed into the ear canal.

 

[SDJim]

Good thing I already have gen2 AirPods. I hate the shove-down-your-ear-canal ear buds. Uncomfortable, gross, and isolating. If I want to shut out the world, I don't need ear plugs, I need my QC35's.

 

[rmoliv]

That design looks HORRIBLE! Are they trying to copy Samsung’s buds? Jony Ive please come back.

 

[Return Zero]

Seriously, why do people assume a new model with ANC will mean they immediately discontinue the current style models? I can almost guarantee they will sell these at a higher price, and either keep the current airpods around as-is or even lower the price on them a little.