Apple is busy working on AirPods that come with cameras, according to Mark Gurman from Bloomberg. Don’t expect to see this in the AirPods Pro 3, which should launch this year. Instead, it’s a plan. Apple wants these earbuds to get smarter about the world around you—here’s why.
Seeing the World with AirPods
With the iPhone 16, Apple added a Camera Control button. It’s handy for snapping pictures or tweaking camera options, but it also brought something called Visual Intelligence. This feature helps you figure out what’s around you, like adding a flyer’s event to your calendar or asking Google or ChatGPT about something confusing.
Gurman says Apple wants AirPods to do similar things. Imagine tiny cameras on your earbuds using artificial intelligence to “see” your surroundings and tell you about them. It’s like having smart glasses but without the glasses! You can ask Siri what’s nearby without even touching your iPhone.
Better Sound Experience
Ming-Chi Kuo, a supply chain expert, thinks these cameras could team up with other Apple gadgets, like the Vision Pro headset. They might improve how you hear sounds around you, especially with spatial audio. For example, if you’re watching a video with Vision Pro and turn your head, the sound could shift to match where you’re looking, making it feel more real. Kuo even suggests the cameras might let you control the AirPods with hand gestures in the air—pretty cool, though it sounds a bit unusual!
When Can We Get Them?
Bloomberg reports that these camera-equipped AirPods won’t arrive until at least 2027, possibly with the AirPods Pro 4. Apple might also launch smart glasses around then, similar to Meta’s Ray-Bans. The goal? To make use of the Visual Intelligence tech from Vision Pro, which scans your surroundings and gives helpful info.
In short, Apple’s cooking up something exciting with AirPods. Cameras could make them smarter and more connected to your world, blending sound and sight in fresh ways. Stay tuned for more as 2027 gets closer!