Rumor: Next-gen AirPods could include “Hey, Siri support, debut sooner rather than later

There’s a decent chance that the next-gen AirPods will feature “Hey, Siri” support.
Per the iOS 12.2 beta release for developers, an updated AirPods setup screen indicated that users will be able to talk directly to Siri using the next generation AirPods.
As such, the updated AirPods could be configured for Siri in the same way that iPhones and iPads currently are. The AirPods themselves will do the Siri recognition and send commands to the paired device. It was also noted that last September’s Apple event even featured a person using “Hey, Siri” with their AirPods.

It’s unknown as to when the next-gen AirPods will be released, and some rumors have speculated that it will happen in 2019. Leading Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said an all new model of the headphones will be released in 2020. Given the presence of the setup screen, it looks like the release will come sooner rather than later. Kuo stated that they are Apple’s most popular accessory ever.
Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.
Via The Mac Observer and 9to5Mac