According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple is ‘actively developing’ a version of AirPods with integrated cameras.This tech is unlikely to make an appearance in AirPods Pro 3, which are expected to debut this year – but nonetheless, it’s in the pipeline.Apple wants your AirPods to better understand your environment, but why? Visual Intelligence integration With the iPhone 16 lineup, Apple introduced Camera Control.
This new button is great for taking photos and adjusting camera settings, but it also unlocked a new feature: Visual Intelligence.Visual Intelligence is a powerful tool that helps users learn about the world around them, and allows users to take action based on the physical context around them.You can add an event flyer to your calendar, for example, or tap into the power of ChatGPT or Google to help learn about something you don’t understand.
According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple wants to bring similar integration with AirPods, mainly in an effort to bolster its position in the AI race: With this integration on AirPods, you could possibly ask Siri about your surroundings, without even needing to take your iPhone out of your pocket.Improved spatial audio Supply chain analyst Ming Chi Kuo has also floated the idea of Apple using these cameras as a means of integration with other products.Specifically, they could be used for better spatial awareness while listening to audio with Apple Vision Pro: This suggestion in particular is a bit odd, but given Kuo’s credibility, its worth mentioning.
He also mentioned that it’s possible that these cameras could enable “in-air gesture control” for AirPods.Release date According to , Apple won’t debut this tech until 2027 at the earliest, likely alongside AirPods Pro 4: My favorite iPhone accessories on Amazon: ESR MagSafe Wallet with Kickstand, Grip, and Find My support Anker MagSafe 2-in-1 Wireless Charging Stand with Qi2 UGREEN 6.6ft braided USB-C charging cables, 2-pack AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C) You’re reading 9to5Mac — experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day.Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop.
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