As reported by Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple is currently working on a prototype of AirPods featuring built-in cameras. While this technology is unlikely to be ready for the upcoming AirPods Pro 3, which are slated for release this year, it remains a future possibility. The pressing question is: what is the purpose of this development?
Integration of Visual Intelligence
With the recent iPhone 16 series, Apple has rolled out Camera Control, a new feature that simplifies photo capturing and adjustments while introducing Visual Intelligence.
Visual Intelligence is an advanced tool designed to enrich user understanding of their surroundings, allowing actions based on the physical context. For instance, users can quickly add event flyers to their calendars or utilize services like ChatGPT or Google for clarifications on unfamiliar topics.
Gurman also notes that Apple aims to incorporate a similar feature into AirPods, primarily to enhance its position in the AI landscape:
Apple is working on a new version of the AirPods Pro that utilizes external cameras and artificial intelligence to comprehend the external environment and provide relevant information to the user. This approach mirrors the smart glasses concept, albeit without the glasses.
With such enhancements, it could allow users to inquire about their surroundings through Siri without needing to retrieve their iPhone.
Enhanced Spatial Audio
Supply chain analyst Ming Chi Kuo has proposed that Apple could leverage these integrated cameras for better compatibility with other devices. Specifically, they might improve spatial awareness when using Apple Vision Pro:
The new AirPods are anticipated to be utilized with Vision Pro and upcoming Apple headsets, enhancing the spatial audio experience and bolstering the spatial computing ecosystem. For example, if a user is watching a video with Vision Pro while wearing these new AirPods, turning their head in a specific direction could highlight the corresponding sound source, thereby amplifying the spatial audio experience.
This idea might seem unusual, but given Kuo’s reputation, it warrants attention. He also suggested that these cameras could facilitate “in-air gesture control” for the AirPods.
Expected Release Timeline
As reported by Bloomberg, the debut of this new technology is unlikely to happen before 2027, likely coinciding with the launch of AirPods Pro 4:
By 2027, the team is contemplating a launch that includes smart glasses similar to the Meta Ray-Bans, alongside AirPods equipped with cameras. This strategy aims to utilize the substantial investments in Vision Pro’s visual intelligence technology, which can analyze the user’s environment and provide valuable data.
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