Apple is reportedly developing AirPods with cameras: Here’s what that means – 9to5Mac

According to Mark Gurman from Bloomberg, Apple creates a prototyping of the AirPods version with built -in cameras. This technology is unlikely to appear in Airpods Pro 3, which are expected to debut this year, but, nevertheless, it is in development. A bigger question: why?

Integration of visual intelligence

With the iPhone 16 line, Apple introduced the camera control. This new button is great for photographing and setting the camera settings, but also unlocked a new function: visual intelligence.

Visual Intelligence is a powerful tool that helps users learn about the world around them, and allows users to take actions based on physical context around them. For example, you can add Flyer to your calendar or enter the force of Chatgpt or Google to help find out about something that you do not understand.

According to Mark Gurman from Bloomberg, Apple wants to make similar integration with AirPods, mainly to strengthen his position in the AI ​​race:

Apple is working on a new version of Airpods Pro, which uses external cameras and artificial intelligence to understand the outside world and provide information to the user. In fact, it would be a path of smart glasses – but without real glasses.

With this integration on Airpods, you can ask Siri about your environment without even needing your iPhone outstanding your pocket.

Improving spatial sound

The Ming Chi Kuo supply chain also made the idea of ​​Apple using these cameras as an integration means with other products. In particular, they can be used for better spatial awareness by listening to audio with Apple Vision Pro:

It is expected that the new AirPods will be used with Vision Pro and the future Apple headset to improve the user experience of spatial sound and strengthen the ecosystem of spatial calculations. For example, when the user watches a video with Vision Pro and wears these new Airpods, if users turn their heads to watch in a certain direction, the sound source in this direction can be emphasized to improve spatial audio/computational experience.

This proposal, in particular, is a little strange, but, given the confidence of Kuo, it should be mentioned. He also mentioned that it is quite possible that these cameras can allow “control over ether gestures” for AirPods.

When to expect them

In accordance with BloombergApple does not debut in this technology until 2027 in the near future, probably along with AirPods Pro 4:

In 2027, the team considers the opportunity to launch smart glasses along with meta-banks, as well as AirPods with cameras. The idea is to save billions of dollars spent on the technology of Vision Pro visual intelligence, which can scan the environment around the user and provide useful data.

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