There may be a bit of talk around Apple’s upcoming budget laptops and the next iPhone, but longer term, the company has AI wearables on its mind. Reports suggest that Apple has up to three AI-centric devices in the works, with a strategy that sounds similar to Meta’s.
Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman previously claimed that Apple is working on an AI pendant, camera-equipped AirPods, and a set of glasses as part of the company’s AI strategy. More recently, Gurman noted that Apple CEO Tim Cook’s messaging is priming the public for this new wave of unannounced devices.
Cook reportedly emphasised “Visual Intelligence” in a recent meeting with employees, singling out a specific set of features within Apple Intelligence. To quickly recap, Visual Intelligence is Apple’s feature that combines an iPhone’s camera with AI processing to provide context-specific information, like identifying an animal breed or adding the details of a poster to a calendar item.
At the moment, Visual Intelligence relies on external AI technology, like OpenAI’s ChatGPT and functionality akin to Google’s Circle to Search feature. Apple signed a deal with Google in January to use its AI as part of a Siri revamp, so future AI features will supposedly be more native to the Apple ecosystem.
Gurman reported that Apple’s AI glasses will target a 2027 release, providing more competition to devices like Meta’s Ray-Bans. Similar to Meta’s wearables, Apple intends for its camera-adorned glasses to pair with a phone, relying on AI to respond to what the wearer sees, like translating languages or describing one’s surroundings.
Apple’s planned AI pendant and AirPods
Alongside the in-development glasses, Apple’s reported AirTag-sized AI pendant will also have a camera and microphone pairing. It’s designed to interface with an iPhone, letting users keep their phones pocketed.
According to Gurman, there’s no guarantee that Apple’s AI pendant will release. Other attempts at AI wearables, like the ill-fated Humane AI Pin, haven’t caught on, largely due to limited use cases and unreliable hardware. If Apple’s version does see the light of day, it won’t be until 2027, based on current reports.
Coming sooner could be a set of AirPods with a set of cameras designed to assist with AI processing. In theory, the AirPods could rely on an iPhone for processing, so users can ask the earbuds about something they’re looking at, without needing to unlock their phone.
Again, there’s nothing concrete about the AirPods, or the rest of the unannounced AI devices. But there’s a chance the AirPods could launch this year.
There are various reasons behind Apple’s foray into AI wearables. One is to appease investors who want to see the company remain competitive in an AI-dominated landscape. Another is to provide a more affordable alternative to the Apple Vision Pro. By all reports, Apple’s headset was impressive, but its bulk and high price limited its mass appeal.
Among the unconfirmed device reports, Cook’s commentary suggests that whatever Apple does next, Visual Intelligence will be a major focus.
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