'Apple Thinks My Own AirPods are Stalking Me'

MacRumors reports that Apple has begun a staggered rollout of a new firmware update (which will go fully live to everyone on May 13.) Here's how Apple's describes how it will change the lost-device-tracking AirTags:

'Currently, iOS users receiving an unwanted tracking alert can play a sound to help them find the unknown AirTag. We will be adjusting the tone sequence to use more of the loudest tones to make an unknown AirTag more easily findable.'

That'll make them easier to find — but some people have a different problem. This ZDNet reporter keeps getting notifications on their iPad trying to warn them about their own AirPod earbuds.

The warning is totally erroneous. These are my AirPods Pro, which I have had for years now. I was able to verify they are mine by using the iPad to play a sound on the AirPods.

Apple's technology doesn't know these are my own AirPods.

The strange behavior began to appear in February. I am not alone in experiencing this annoying mistaken alert. Apple's AirPods support user forum shows several individuals in recent months with the same frustration... 'It still happens several times a day. I'm getting annoyed. I get it on my phone and my iPad everytime I open the case and use my AirPods. I play the sound to be sure its really mine and it is indeed mine.'

There are numerous examples of this....

Users have also reported the problem with their AirTags not being recognized. 'I get constant notifications that an air tag is near me, but it turns out it's my tags. Shouldn't my phone know the difference?' writes Joe Thomas 3 on February 8th....

It's worth noting that Apple has posted a note that promises 'a series of updates that we plan to introduce later this year,' which include something such as 'precision finding' for AirTags, and 'Refining unwanted tracking alert logic.'

Read more of this story at Slashdot.