Apple Launches AirTag 2 With Improved Range, Louder Speaker (9to5mac.com)
(Monday January 26, 2026 @10:30PM (BeauHD)
from the new-and-shiny dept.)
- Reference: 0180662142
- News link: https://apple.slashdot.org/story/26/01/27/0047225/apple-launches-airtag-2-with-improved-range-louder-speaker
- Source link: https://9to5mac.com/2026/01/26/apple-launches-airtag-2-with-improved-range-louder-speaker-more/
Apple has [1]launched a new AirTag 2 that features [2]improved range, a speaker that's 50% louder, and expanded Apple Watch-based tracking . Pricing stays the same at $29 (or $99 for four). 9to5Mac reports:
> The new AirTag comes with an upgraded second-generation Ultra Wideband chip for improved range, including when using Precision Finding. From Apple Newsroom: "Apple's second-generation Ultra Wideband chip -- the same chip found in the iPhone 17 lineup, iPhone Air, Apple Watch Ultra 3, and Apple Watch Series 11 -- powers the new AirTag, making it easier to locate than ever before. Using haptic, visual, and audio feedback, Precision Finding guides users to their lost items from up to 50 percent farther away than the previous generation. And an upgraded Bluetooth chip expands the range at which items can be located. 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."
>
> Another key upgrade with the new AirTag is an improved speaker, which should also make the accessory easier to find. Apple says: "With its updated internal design, the new AirTag is 50 percent louder than the previous generation, enabling users to hear their AirTag from up to 2x farther than before." Apple also touts privacy and security improvements with the new AirTag: "Designed exclusively for tracking objects, and not people or pets, the new AirTag incorporates a suite of industry-first protections against unwanted tracking, including cross-platform alerts and unique Bluetooth identifiers that change frequently."
[1] https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2026/01/apple-introduces-new-airtag-with-expanded-range-and-improved-findability/
[2] https://9to5mac.com/2026/01/26/apple-launches-airtag-2-with-improved-range-louder-speaker-more/
> The new AirTag comes with an upgraded second-generation Ultra Wideband chip for improved range, including when using Precision Finding. From Apple Newsroom: "Apple's second-generation Ultra Wideband chip -- the same chip found in the iPhone 17 lineup, iPhone Air, Apple Watch Ultra 3, and Apple Watch Series 11 -- powers the new AirTag, making it easier to locate than ever before. Using haptic, visual, and audio feedback, Precision Finding guides users to their lost items from up to 50 percent farther away than the previous generation. And an upgraded Bluetooth chip expands the range at which items can be located. 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."
>
> Another key upgrade with the new AirTag is an improved speaker, which should also make the accessory easier to find. Apple says: "With its updated internal design, the new AirTag is 50 percent louder than the previous generation, enabling users to hear their AirTag from up to 2x farther than before." Apple also touts privacy and security improvements with the new AirTag: "Designed exclusively for tracking objects, and not people or pets, the new AirTag incorporates a suite of industry-first protections against unwanted tracking, including cross-platform alerts and unique Bluetooth identifiers that change frequently."
[1] https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2026/01/apple-introduces-new-airtag-with-expanded-range-and-improved-findability/
[2] https://9to5mac.com/2026/01/26/apple-launches-airtag-2-with-improved-range-louder-speaker-more/
Let me guess (Score:2)
by GrahamJ ( 241784 )
Still no hole so you can actually attach it to something.
useless for theft protection (Score:1)
"the new AirTag incorporates a suite of industry-first protections against unwanted tracking, including cross-platform alerts and unique Bluetooth identifiers that change frequently" -- yeah this is why I bought a box of the old ones as soon as I heard this one was coming out. 10% of the use case is "where are my car keys." 90% of the use case is "where's my shit that was stolen."
Telling police within a day has value ... (Score:1)
> This is merely tracker. Do you actually expect the item to sprout arms and legs and act as a physical protector and apprehend the thief? If do, your comprehension about things is sorely deficient.
Do you comprehend there may be use cases beyond your limited guesswork? For example, I'm traveling. Car is at the airpot. Each day I check if it's still there. If it moves I can report things to the police within a day of its movement, rather than a week or more later when I return home. That can be the difference between a car broken into and joy rided and a car stripped for parts.
Re: (Score:2)
And the new louder speaker will make it 50% more likely the thieves will find it. Thanks Apple!
Re: (Score:2)
Really? You think thieves are hanging around random boxes waiting for somebody to trigger a tag so they can select one to open?
No, really. Please. Go ahead and use case this. Draw the lines.
I'm at the stadium, where did I park (Score:1)
Another use case you may not have considered. I park at the sports stadium. Hours later I am leaving. What section/row did I park in? Air tag points me to the correct section.
Re: (Score:2)
Your phone can already keep track of where you left your car.