Apple just unveiled a few new products at its Spring Loaded event, but other than the AirTag, none of them have the U1 chip integrated. Now that the smart tracker has been officially announced, what’s holding Apple back and what products could benefit from the U1 Chip next?
For now, only the iPhone 11 and iPhone 12, Apple Watch Series 6, HomePod mini and AirTags lines have the U1 chip. This chip works for several things:
Faster file transfer with AirDrop; Location of devices / items; Car key function to unlock the car.
The U1 chip uses positioning technology known as ultra-wideband radio (UWB) that provides precise location and spatial awareness so that a U1 equipped device can detect its exact position relative to other devices in the same room. So why isn’t Apple adding this chip to every possible device?
For example, the iPad Pro 2021, with its Liquid Retina XDR display on the 12.9-inch model and with a Thunderbolt port, could benefit from faster file transfer not only by cable but also over the air. It could also improve the spatial audio experience as a whole.
Although it now seems unlikely, Apple could add the U1 chip to all iPad lines. Focusing on AR and third-party accessories that can expand for the Find My network, an iPad like the mini model could be as useful as an iPhone in locating a lost item.
The same goes for the all-new 24-inch iMac. In fact, Apple could integrate the U1 chip into any Mac, mainly for a better Handoff experience, since what’s in your iPhone also stays on your Mac.
U1 chip for Apple TV and Siri Remote
Another device that people really expected to get a U1 chip is the Apple TV 4K. With the unveiling of the second generation, it was kind of a bummer that neither the redesigned Siri remote nor the set-top box itself feature the U1 chip.
Apple TV 4K could benefit from Spatial Audio using AirPods Pro or AirPods Max, currently unavailable on the product. So if you want to watch an Apple Original show with this feature, you will need to use an iPhone or iPad with a much smaller screen than a TV.
tv-could-benefit-from-an-even-faster-connection-between-the-watch-and-the-set-top-box">As for Apple Fitness + users, the U1 chip on Apple TV could benefit from an even faster connection between the watch and the decoder.
About the Siri Remote, there is still hope. When Apple launched the original Apple TV and Apple Remote a few years later, before the unveiling of the second-generation Apple TV, the company announced a redesigned remote, which persisted until the announcement of the fourth generation Apple TV and Siri Remote.
With that in mind, nothing prevents Apple from adding the U1 chip to the Siri Remote with a future revision. I’m sure many Apple executives will lose the new Siri Remote on the couch and be unable to find it, as will happen with all of us.
AirPods with U1 chip
Some third-party accessory manufacturers will likely advertise AirPods cases with AirTag support.
Because the original AirPods and AirPods Pro have a slippery charging case, it is easy for people to misplace them. Additionally, since the wireless earbuds can only be found when someone opens the case with an iPhone nearby, they are unlikely to recover an AirPod when it has been lost despite integrating with the. Find My application.
Surprisingly, in 2020, Apple did not bring chip support for AirPods Max. With new versions of the AirPods and AirPods Pro expected this year, we’re hoping that a U1 chip is in the works for charging cases. This would make it much easier for users to find their AirPods or never lose them.
Which products do you think could benefit from the U1 chip? Tell us in the comments section below.
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