According to a new report from Bloomberg, Apple is “accelerating” its development of three new wearable products, including smart glasses, an AI pendant, and camera-equipped AirPods.
These products, the report says, are being “built around the Siri digital assistant.”
AI pin, glasses, and AirPods with cameras
The smart glasses will reportedly feature a high-resolution camera for photo and video capture, designed to compete with Meta’s smart glasses. Apple has reportedly made “significant progress” on these glasses in recent months. The glasses won’t include a display, but rather will rely on speakers, microphones, and cameras.
Apple’s prototypes have two camera lenses. There’s one for high-resolution images and videos, and another for “computer vision” that will “give the device environmental context.” With environmental context, for example, the glasses could mirror functionality offered by Visual Intelligence on the iPhone.
That context could also be used for more precise navigation in Apple Maps, Reminders integration, and more. “The goal is for the glasses to function as an all-day AI companion, capable of understanding what a user is seeing and doing in real time,” the report says.
Apple is reportedly developing its own frames for the glasses in a range of different sizes and colors. It explored partnerships with other companies, but ultimately decided to design everything in house.
Mark Gurman reports:
Early prototypes of the glasses connect via a cable to a standalone battery pack and an iPhone, but newer versions have the components embedded in the frame. The design uses high-end materials, including acrylic elements intended to give the glasses a premium feel. Apple is already discussing launching the device in additional styles over time.
Apple is also working on an AI pendant device. The Information reported on Apple’s AI-powered, AirTag-size wearable pin last month, describing it as a “thin, flat, circular disc with an aluminum-and-glass shell” with two cameras, a speaker, and three microphones.
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