Apple is developing next-generation wireless earbuds with enhanced artificial intelligence (AI) features. The approach is to place small cameras in the left and right earbuds so the voice assistant Siri can recognize the user's surroundings.
Bloomberg reported on the 7th (local time) that Apple is testing camera-equipped AirPods in a design validation phase close to mass production. The cameras are not for taking photos or videos, but to help AI answer users' questions based on low-resolution visual information.
For example, if a user looks at ingredients and asks for a recipe, or points to a building while walking and asks for directions, Siri would recognize nearby objects and respond. Apple also plans to add a feature that turns on an LED indicator when visual information is transmitted externally to reduce privacy concerns.
The launch was initially discussed for the first half of this year, but it was reportedly delayed as the Siri overhaul fell behind schedule. The new Siri, leveraging Google Gemini technology, is set to be unveiled on Sept. 9. Apple is also pursuing a plan in iOS 27 to broaden the choice of external AI models.
The camera AirPods are seen as Apple's first wearable AI gambit to counter Meta's smart glasses and OpenAI's move to develop an AI device. Apple is also preparing smart glasses and a pendant with a built-in camera, but they are expected to be commercialized later than the AirPods.
John Turnus, who will become Apple's chief executive officer in September, was recently quoted at an internal event as saying, "We will change the world again." Attention is on whether Apple, leaning on its hardware strengths, can overturn assessments that it has fallen behind in the AI device market.