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Rumor: Apple AirPods 2, AirPower, New iPads to Arrive March 29

Word has it that Apple is planning to release its second-generation AirPods along with new iPads and the long-awaited AirPower wireless chagrining mat in late March.

 & Angela Moscaritolo Managing Editor, Consumer Electronics

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March 29 might be an exciting date for Apple fans.

Apple is planning to release its second-generation AirPods along with new iPads and the long-awaited AirPower wireless charging mat that Friday, according to 9to5Mac, which cites Greek site iPhonehellas.gr.

iPhonehellas.gr says Apple plans to start accepting pre-orders on March 22 with an official launch a week later. But as 9to5Mac notes, iPhonehellas.gr "does not really have a past reputation," so to take its predictions with a grain of salt.

Meanwhile, well-known tech leaker Steve Hemmerstoffer (aka @onleaks on Twitter) said today he heard from a "seemingly reliable source" that the new AirPods won't make their debut until this fall.

Apple's next-gen wireless earbuds will reportedly feature built-in Siri functionality, a non-slip grip coating, and higher quality audio than the first generation with the same battery life. They are expected to come in black and white instead of just white, and cost $200, or $40 more than they are now.

As for the new iPads, iPhonehellas.gr says Apple plans to release two next month: a new full-size tablet along with a fifth-generation iPad mini.

Finally, the AirPower wireless charging mat, which Apple first showed off in the fall of 2017 alongside the iPhone X, was supposed to arrive before the end of 2018. That didn't happen, leading some to wonder if the device will ever make it to market. In December, developer Steve Troughton-Smith said Apple had finally corrected the issues holding AirPower back, so perhaps it will indeed arrive soon.

About Our Expert

Angela Moscaritolo

Angela Moscaritolo

Managing Editor, Consumer Electronics

My Experience

I'm PCMag's managing editor for consumer electronics, overseeing an experienced team of analysts covering smart home, home entertainment, wearables, fitness and health tech, and various other product categories. I have been with PCMag for more than 10 years, and in that time have written more than 6,000 articles and reviews for the site. I previously served as an analyst focused on smart home and wearable devices, and before that I was a reporter covering consumer tech news. I'm also a yoga instructor, and have been actively teaching group and private classes for nearly a decade. 

Prior to joining PCMag, I was a reporter for SC Magazine, focusing on hackers and computer security. I earned a BS in journalism from West Virginia University, and started my career writing for newspapers in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.

The Technology I Use

My little Florida beach bungalow is brimming with smart home tech. I have a smart speaker or display in every room, allowing me to control other connected devices by voice. The Nest Hub on my bedside table lets me set wake-up alarms, control my smart light bulbs, and set the temperature on my smart thermostat. I use the Amazon Echo Show 8 on my kitchen counter to browse recipes, reorder protein powder, check the weather, and watch the news while I do dishes. 

Because I suffer from allergies, air purifiers are essential. My favorite model is the Dyson Purifier Cool TP07, which doubles as a fan and continuously sends indoor pollution data to its companion mobile app. 

My pitbull Bradley sheds, so a good robot vacuum is a must. I currently use a premium Ecovacs Deebot that can both vacuum and mop, empty its own dustbin, and wash its own mop cloth. 

For fitness, I like to mix up my routine with cycling, indoor rowing, running, and strength training in addition to yoga. I take classes on the Tonal 2 smart strength training machine, I row indoors on an Aviron machine, and track my beach runs with an Apple Watch while listening to music on my Apple AirPods Pro. On the weekends, I love riding e-bikes like the rugged, beach-friendly Aventon Aventure for fun and fitness.

My job involves a lot of virtual meetings, so a quality webcam, microphone, and ring light are important. I use the Jabra PanaCast 20 webcam, the Elgato Wave: 3 microphone, and a Yesker tripod ring light. 

As for my preferred phone platform, I'm an iPhone person, but I've also extensively used Android for product testing.

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