Secret screen on iOS 12.2 beta reveals AirPods 2 will feature "Hey Siri" activation

Currently, those using Apple's AirPods can activate Siri with a double tap of one of the devices sitting in their ears. But 9to5Mac has stumbled upon a secret setup screen for the wireless Bluetooth earphones in the first developer beta for iOS 12.2. A tap of the button near the bottom of the screen will allow AirPods 2 users to call upon Apple's virtual personal assistant by calling out a hearty "Hey Siri." Last September during the unveiling of the 2018 iPhone models, Apple played a video that showed an AirPods wearer saying "Hey Siri" to wake up the assistant.

As we told you yesterday, the sequel to the original AirPods is now expected to be launched sometime during the first half of this year. There has been speculation that the new AirPods model will feature longer battery life, a noise-cancellation system, and some level of protection from water.

Unveiled during the same new product event in 2016 that introduced the Apple iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus to the world, the AirPods became a very popular accessory once they were released on December 13th of that year.

According to a previous report from Gartner, ear-worn devices will be the most popular wearable device by 2022. By that year, the research firm expects that 158.43 units of ear-worn wearables will be shipped, compared to the 46.12 million estimated to be delivered this year.