Apple Accelerates AI Wearable Development: Pin, Smart Glasses, and Camera-Equipped AirPods on the Horizon
Apple is reportedly developing a range of new artificial intelligence (AI) powered wearable devices, including an AI pin or pendant, smart glasses, and enhanced AirPods with integrated cameras. These initiatives coincide with plans to significantly revamp Siri, transforming it into a generative AI-powered chatbot, leveraging partnerships with OpenAI and Google.
AI Wearable Pin/Pendant Development
Reports from The Information indicate that Apple is in the early stages of developing a wearable AI pin. This device is described as small, resembling a slightly thicker AirTag, with a thin, flat, circular disc design featuring an aluminum and glass exterior.
It is expected to include multiple cameras (two, offering standard and wide-angle capabilities), three microphones, a speaker, and a physical button. The device would support wireless charging, likely through a magnetic inductive interface.
The AI pin is intended to be worn on clothing, potentially attached to a shirt, and would feature an always-on camera to record the wearer's environment, connecting to Siri via its inbuilt microphone.
While development is in its early stages and subject to cancellation, some reports suggest a potential release as early as 2027, with an initial production target of approximately 20 million units. The concept of an AI pendant is also considered a potential approach to address social acceptance concerns regarding publicly visible camera-equipped devices.
Smart Glasses (Code-named N50)
Development of Apple's AI-powered smart glasses, code-named N50, is reportedly being expedited. These glasses are anticipated to function as an "all-day AI companion," designed to understand real-time user activity and visual surroundings.
Features are expected to include a high-resolution camera system, incorporating high-resolution cameras for capturing video and images, and a lower-resolution camera specifically for feeding visual information to Siri. The glasses are expected to operate with a voice-based interface, utilizing integrated microphones and speakers, and are not anticipated to feature a display on the lens.
Potential functionalities include:
- Identifying food ingredients
- Referencing landmarks for navigation
- Adding event information from posters to calendars
- Guiding users to grocery items
The aim is to reduce the need for frequent iPhone interaction. Production for the smart glasses is reportedly targeted to begin as early as December. Reports vary on the anticipated release timeframe, with some sources indicating an unveiling as early as 2025, while others project a public release in 2027. The smart glasses are characterized as a more upscale and feature-rich offering compared to other rumored AI wearables. Competitors in the smart glasses market include Meta and Snap.
AI-Enhanced AirPods with Cameras
Apple is also reportedly developing advanced AirPods that will feature integrated cameras and expanded AI capabilities, functioning as "AI eyes" to interpret the wearer's surroundings.
Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo suggested in July 2024 that Apple was considering adding infrared (IR) camera modules, similar to those used for Face ID, to AirPods to improve spatial audio and strengthen the spatial computing ecosystem, particularly in conjunction with devices like the Vision Pro.
More recent reports from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman indicate that these AirPods will include low-resolution cameras designed specifically for AI functions rather than for taking photos.
The AirPods Pro 3 model has been specifically mentioned in connection with these IR cameras, expected to support visual intelligence features and "AI companion" capabilities intended for future Apple Glasses.
Additionally, new AirPods and AirPods Pro models may include features like:
- Hand gestures
- Environmental awareness
- Support for Apple Intelligence
- Heart rate tracking (in AirPods Pro 3)
Reports vary on the launch timeline for these AirPods, with some analysts suggesting a release as early as 2024 or 2025, and others projecting mass production by 2026. The introduction of camera-equipped AirPods is viewed as a strategic move, leveraging their existing popularity to gather data on AI wearable usage and build a foundation for future AI devices like Apple Glasses.
Siri Revamp and AI Integration
Concurrent with these hardware developments, Apple plans to overhaul Siri, transforming it into a generative AI-powered chatbot. This initiative aligns with Google's recent announcement that its Gemini AI will power some of Siri's artificial intelligence capabilities. Apple has also partnered with OpenAI for Siri's Apple Intelligence features. All mentioned AI wearable devices are designed to connect with the iPhone and will integrate Siri as a key user experience component, offering hands-free interaction.
Industry Context and Privacy Concerns
These developments place Apple within an emerging AI hardware market that includes products from companies such as:
- OpenAI (which explored an unreleased AI pin)
- Humane (whose AI pin faced significant challenges upon release)
- Meta (Ray-Ban smart glasses)
- Google (Android XR platform and AR glasses prototypes)
- Samsung (Galaxy XR)
- Xreal (Project Aura glasses)
The acceleration of Apple's AI pin development, despite the company's delayed entry into other hardware categories like foldable smartphones and smart rings, has been noted.
Concerns regarding privacy and the public display of camera-equipped devices have been raised, particularly for discreet wearables.
User experiences with devices like the Humane AI Pin and Meta's Ray-Ban smart glasses have included public questioning about camera usage and restrictions in various venues. While smartphone camera usage is generally discernible, the less obvious nature of a discreet AI pin or glasses could potentially raise new privacy considerations, including the possibility of circumvention of capture notifications.
The Information acknowledges that Apple's AI pin development may not proceed to a public launch. Apple's collaboration with Google on AI is noted as a strategy to address its AI development challenges, allowing the company to focus on product development.