Rumor: Second-generation AirPods could ship in second half of 2019, could include health tracking features

Straight from the rumor mill and according to supply chain sources, it’s thought that the second generation of AirPods, complete with health tracking functionality, could arrive in the first half of 2019.
The competitive wearables market has already seen considerable growth over the last few years, with Apple’s revenue from the wearable segment believed to have grown by 50 percent in 2018 compared to the full year of 2017. Apple’s success in the field is said by supply chain insiders to demonstrate potential for the market to grow even more in 2019.
The supply chain insiders’ claims match a prediction made by Ming-Chi Kuo in December. Kuo also suggests the inclusion of “wireless charging support” and a Bluetooth specification upgrade in the release, though a more pronounced revision may arrive in 2020.

The report centers around anticipated growth in the flexible and rigid-flex PCB market for 2019, of which Apple’s AirPods and the Apple Watch Series 4 are said to be major drivers of.
Leading Taiwanese flexible PCB suppliers Zhen Ding Tech and Flexium Interconnect are said to be two suppliers in the chain providing components for both the Apple Watch and AirPods. However, the two companies are tipped to gain more orders from other device vendors in the future.
Other firms, such as Compeq Manufacturing and Unitech PCB, which supply rigid-flex boards used in AirPods, are likely to gain more clients in the earbuds industry throughout the year.
Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.
Via AppleInsider and DigiTimes