Apple is reportedly developing AI-powered smart glasses and AirPods equipped with infrared cameras, aiming for a potential launch around 2027. These innovations reflect Apple’s strategic expansion into wearable technology and augmented reality (AR), building upon its existing investments in the Vision Pro headset and Visual Intelligence features introduced with the iPhone 16 series .
Cameras in your AirPods and smart glasses that analyse your surroundings; basically, turning you into a walking, whispering surveillance system.
The smart glasses, internally code-named “N50,” are designed to analyse the user’s environment through onboard cameras and sensors, providing real-time contextual information without offering a full AR display. This approach aims to deliver a lightweight, user-friendly experience, distinguishing it from more immersive and bulkier AR headsets .
In parallel, Apple is exploring the integration of infrared cameras into future AirPods models. These cameras are expected to enhance spatial audio accuracy and enable gesture-based controls, such as skipping tracks or adjusting volume through head movements. Users might be able to control music playback, answer calls, or even interact with AR environments with a mere flick of the neck or twitch of the eyebrow!.
Apple is reportedly grappling with major design and technical hurdles in developing lightweight, AI-powered smart glasses. The challenge lies in balancing hardware performance, display quality, battery life, and sleek aesthetics. As a result, fully functional AR glasses may be delayed by at least three to five years.
While these developments are promising, they are still in the early stages, and Apple has not officially confirmed any release timelines. The introduction of camera-equipped wearables also raises potential privacy concerns, which Apple will need to address proactively.
As the company continues to innovate in the wearable technology space, these products could significantly enhance user interaction and accessibility, provided they are implemented thoughtfully and responsibly.
Could be a ground breaking innovation to support the visually challenged too! Instead of putting AI in our eyewear, Apple can think of being a true genius by showing the not what it can do, but by showing who it can empower.