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Apple Surprises with AirTag 2 Launch
Apple unveiled the second-generation AirTag on Monday, January 26, 2026. The upgrade targets everyday frustrations in tracking lost items. Who: Apple Inc. What: Enhanced Bluetooth tracker. When: Immediate availability.
Key Upgrades: Louder and Farther
The new AirTag packs Apple's second-generation Ultra Wideband (UWB) chip. This powers Precision Finding, now reaching 50% farther than the 2021 model. Users get haptic, visual, and audio cues to pinpoint items like keys or wallets.
Bluetooth range extends too, thanks to the upgraded chip. The speaker blasts 50% louder with a distinctive chime. Apple claims it helps in noisy environments or distant searches.
- UWB Chip: Same as iPhone 17, iPhone Air, Apple Watch Series 11, Ultra 3.
- Range Boost: Precision Finding up to 50% farther.
- Audio: 50% louder chime for quick location.
- Compatibility: Works with Apple Watch Series 9, Ultra 2 or newer.
Price and Availability Unchanged
Pricing holds steady at $29 per AirTag or $99 for a four-pack. Free engraving remains available. No keyring hole stillno built-in loop for attachments. Third-party holders like Elevation Lab's wallet or leather options fill the gap.
New Features: Share Item Location
Integration with iOS's Share Item Location lets users share tracker positions temporarily. Perfect for lost luggage. Apple partners with 50 airlines for this today.
Market Dominance Solidifies
Launched in 2021, AirTag captured 70% of tracker sales by late 2024. Rivals like Tile accused Apple of unfair play via the massive Find My network. Tile exited; Chipolo adapted with cross-platform options.
The refresh cements AirTag's lead. No battery recharge option yet, but replaceable CR2032 cells last a year. Stalking concerns linger, though Apple added detection alerts.
Context: Amid AI Partnerships
This drop coincides with reports of Apple partnering with Google. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman says a Gemini-powered Siri debuts mid-February 2026. That update hits iOS 26.4 beta soon after, public in March-April. AirTag 2 steals the spotlight first.
Apple's AI push follows WWDC 2024 teases. Internal struggles noted, including AI chief John Giannandrea's exit. Google tie-up accelerates personal data access and on-screen tasks for Siri.
Implications for Users
For iPhone owners, AirTag 2 means reliable tracking. Luggage via airlines? Covered. Everyday items? Easier finds. Competitors must innovate faster.
Apple skips major hardware reveals hereno new Macs or iPhones mentioned. Focus stays on refining ecosystem tools.
What's Next?
Bigger Siri overhaul at WWDC June 2026 promises ChatGPT-like chats on Google cloud. AirTag 2 bridges to that future now.