After iPhone 16e, Apple is now developing AirPods with cameras
What's the story
Apple is said to be working on a new generation of its AirPods with built-in cameras.
The futuristic tech would make the earbuds more capable of perceiving and interacting with their surroundings.
The information comes from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, who states that while the tech won't be part of the upcoming AirPods Pro 3, it is very much in the works for future generations.
Tech integration
New AirPods to feature AI-driven capabilities
The new AirPods are also expected to leverage external cameras and artificial intelligence (AI) for analyzing the world around users.
This could provide features similar to smart glasses but without the need for actual glasses.
Gurman reports that Apple plans to integrate a technology called Visual Intelligence into these earbuds. The tech was first introduced with the iPhone 16 lineup.
Launch timeline
Apple may not unveil camera-equipped AirPods until 2027
According to Gurman, Apple isn't likely to unveil this technology until at least 2027.
The release of these innovative AirPods is likely to coincide with the launch of AirPods Pro 4.
This timeline suggests that while the company is actively developing these products, their market introduction is still some years away.
Software updates
iOS 19 update will focus on expanding existing features
In other news, Gurman also revealed that Apple's upcoming iOS 19 update will be more about expanding the existing Apple Intelligence facilities, rather than introducing entirely new ones.
The report suggests that iOS 19 will not bring any major AI advancements. Instead, users can expect to see more of the current features integrated across Apple's ecosystem.