Apple is developing AirPods with cameras, artificial intelligence, and spatial audio: what new features will they bring?

Apple has been launching several products recently, such as Macs, iPads, and the iPhone 16e, but now its attention is turning to new innovations, particularly AirPods with built-in cameras. According to information from Mark Gurman, the company is "actively developing" this technology, which aims to enhance the interaction of AirPods with their environment. Although these camera-equipped AirPods will not be unveiled in the upcoming version of the AirPods Pro 3, their arrival is anticipated in future models, suggesting exciting advancements are on the horizon.

Within the new iPhone 16, a feature called Camera Control was introduced, allowing users to take photos and adjust settings while unlocking a technology known as Visual Intelligence. Gurman also mentions that Apple plans to integrate similar technology into future AirPods to strengthen its position in the field of artificial intelligence. These new AirPods would leverage external cameras and AI to analyze the surroundings, offering features similar to those of smart glasses without the need to wear them.

However, this advanced technology is not expected to be showcased before 2027, likely alongside the release of the AirPods Pro 4. Additionally, Apple is considering the possibility of launching smart glasses, similar to Meta's Ray-Bans, as a way to leverage its Vision Pro display technology, which can scan and interpret the surroundings to provide useful information, further aligning with Apple's AI-driven ambitions.

While the idea of having AirPods with cameras sounds futuristic, Apple's developments in artificial intelligence are still lagging. Despite discussions at WWDC 2024, the company has been slow to update Apple Intelligence, and the much-anticipated conversational assistant Siri may not be available until iOS 20. Gurman indicates that the upcoming iOS 19 update will focus on expanding existing artificial intelligence features rather than introducing significant advancements. While there may be updates for Siri, overall improvements in AI are expected to be limited, integrating current functionalities more deeply into the Apple ecosystem.

Regarding WWDC, it is anticipated that no disruptive innovations in artificial intelligence will be presented, but rather Apple will outline its plans to enhance current capabilities in its applications. The exact details of this expansion are uncertain due to limitations beyond Siri. The year 2023 is shaping up to be a year for "catch-up" concerning Apple's artificial intelligence, with the launch of the 'LLM Siri' backend delayed until iOS 19.4. New Siri features that were originally planned for iOS 18.4 have also been postponed and could be presented next year, possibly alongside iOS 19.