As per Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple is currently developing a variant of the AirPods that will incorporate cameras. While this technology may not be featured in the upcoming AirPods Pro 3, anticipated to release this year, it is indeed on the horizon. The main inquiry remains: why?
Integration of Visual Intelligence
With the introduction of the iPhone 16 series, Apple unveiled Camera Control, a new feature that not only aids in capturing images and adjusting settings but also activates a novel functionality: Visual Intelligence.
This intelligent feature empowers users to understand their environment better and take actions reflective of their physical context. For instance, users could seamlessly add an event flyer to their calendars or leverage the capabilities of ChatGPT or Google for information on unfamiliar topics.
According to Mark Gurman at Bloomberg, Apple aims to extend this type of integration to the AirPods, contributing to its strategy in the AI sector:
Apple is developing a new version of the AirPods Pro that utilizes external cameras and artificial intelligence to comprehend the external environment and deliver information to users. This would effectively pave the way for smart glasses — albeit without the actual glasses.
This advancement could enable users to inquire about their surroundings using Siri, all without the necessity of retrieving their iPhone.
Enhanced Spatial Audio
Supply chain analyst Ming Chi Kuo has also proposed that Apple might leverage these cameras to create a more integrated experience with other products, particularly enhancing spatial awareness when enjoying audio with the Apple Vision Pro:
The anticipated new AirPods are likely to be compatible with Vision Pro and future Apple headsets, refining the experience of spatial audio and enhancing the spatial computing ecosystem. For example, when using Vision Pro to watch a video while wearing the new AirPods, turning your head in a specific direction could emphasize the sound coming from that area, elevating the spatial audio and computing experience.
This concept may seem unconventional, yet considering Kuo’s reliability, it merits discussion. He also suggested the potential for these cameras to enable “in-air gesture control” functionality for the AirPods.
Projected Release Timeline
As reported by Bloomberg, Apple is not expected to launch this technology until at least 2027, likely coinciding with the AirPods Pro 4 release:
Looking towards 2027, the development team is contemplating the launch of smart glasses comparable to the Meta Ray-Bans, along with AirPods featuring cameras. The intent is to maximize the investment into the Vision Pro’s visual intelligence technology, which can analyze the user’s surroundings and offer valuable insights.
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