Apple may surprise fans with a new technology that combines portable convenience with advanced visual intelligence. According to a recent Bloomberg report, the Tech giant develops updated versions of the AirPods and Apple Watch with built-in cameras, with a potential launch that is expected around 2027.
The report indicates that Apple is working on a specialized chip, code name “Nevis” for the camera-compatible Apple Watch, together with another chip called “Glennie” for the improved AirPods. Both chips are expected to be ready in 2027, which increases the possibility of a product release within that year if the development runs smoothly.
The introduction of cameras in particular could mark an important step in Apple's portable strategy. Although it is unlikely that the devices support conventional photography or facetime, it is believed that they have been designed to unlock a series of AI-driven functions. For the Apple Watch this can be in the embedding of a camera in the screen or this near the digital crown on the next Apple Watch Ultra places. These functions can enable the device to interpret the environment and offer more precise navigation and context conscious insights through a “Visual Intelligence” system.
For the AirPods, infrared cameras can improve spatial audio performance, especially when using the Vision Pro and future Apple products. The technology can also make gesture controls possible by recognizing hand movements and offering a new dimension of interaction. Mark Gurman van Bloomberg notes that the cameras are expected to collect visual data for AI on devices, which supports Apple's wider focus on artificial intelligence.
Although the alleged launch is still a few years away and the details are limited, this movement may indicate Apple's goal to evolve its wearables in more intuitive and intelligent companions, whereby visual and audio consciousness is integrated with daily use.
In other news, the Tech giant, established in Cupertino, is said to be ahead in the development of a new chip designed for the upcoming smart glasses. It is believed that this processor draws inspiration from the energy-efficient chips found in the Apple Watch, with priority to low power consumption, in contrast to the more demanding components used in devices such as the iPhone, iPad and Mac
