Apple accelerates the development of AI glasses, accessories, and camera version AirPods

Apple Inc. is accelerating the development of three new wearable devices as part of its strategy to transition to AI-driven hardware. OpenAI and Meta are also laying out plans in this category.

Reports indicate that Apple is fast-tracking three products: smart glasses, a pendant device that can be clipped onto clothing or worn as a necklace, and AirPods with enhanced AI capabilities. All three devices are designed around the Siri digital assistant, which will rely on visual environmental information to perform tasks.

These yet-to-be-released products will connect with the iPhone and depend on camera systems with varying levels of capability.

Following the announcement, Apple's stock price rose by as much as 2.7% to $262.74. Meta's stock price fell by less than 1% to $635.83. The American Depositary Receipts of Meta's glasses partner EssilorLuxottica dropped by over 7%.

Among these, the AirPods and pendant device are positioned as more simplified products, equipped with low-resolution cameras primarily for assisting AI operations rather than for taking photos or videos. The smart glasses are positioned as higher-end with more features.

Earlier this month, during an all-hands meeting, Apple CEO Tim Cook hinted that the company would aggressively enter the AI device market, stating that Apple is developing a "new product category" powered by artificial intelligence and expressing excitement about it. Cook also mentioned that the company is investing in new technologies, saying, "The world is changing rapidly."

Despite strong iPhone sales, Apple is in a catch-up phase in the AI field. Upgrades to Siri have faced development challenges, and progress delays have pushed back release timelines.

Apple is preparing a new version of Siri for the upcoming iOS 27, which will introduce a chatbot-like interface. The company will use a foundational model co-developed with Alphabet's Google.

In the long term, AI is expected to change the way consumers use their phones, with more functionalities shifting to peripheral devices. Meta's smart glasses have already seen success, and OpenAI is also developing a series of wearable devices with the assistance of former Apple design chief Jony Ive and other ex-executives.

Apple's previous attempts in this field have not been successful. Its most recent major new category attempt—the expensive Vision Pro headset—failed to gain widespread consumer acceptance. Therefore, the company hopes to achieve breakthroughs by accelerating the development of wearable devices and further solidifying user engagement within the Apple ecosystem.

Smart Glasses

Smart glasses will become the high-end product in Apple's AI hardware lineup, aiming to compete with Meta's camera-equipped glasses. This product will feature high-resolution cameras capable of taking photos and videos.

Apple has made significant progress in recent months on the glasses project, codenamed N50, and has expanded the prototype testing scope within its hardware engineering department. The company plans to start production as early as December this year, with a target public release in 2027.

Similar to most of Meta's current products, these glasses will not be equipped with a display. The interaction interface will rely on speakers, microphones, and cameras, allowing users to make calls, use Siri, perform tasks based on the environment, play music, and take photos. Apple aims to differentiate itself in terms of build quality and camera technology According to reports, Apple initially developed prototypes by embedding electronic components and cameras into commercially popular brand frames. At one point, it also considered collaborating with external brands to launch products, but recently decided to independently design frames in various sizes and colors.

Early prototypes connected an external battery and iPhone via a data cable, but the new version has integrated components into the frame. The design uses high-end materials, including acrylic elements, to enhance the premium feel. More styles are planned for the future.

The glasses will be equipped with a dual-camera system: one for high-resolution imaging and the other for computer vision technology (similar to the technology used in Vision Pro) to gather environmental information, better understand the surroundings, and measure object distances.

The goal is to make the glasses an all-day AI assistant that understands in real-time what the user sees and does. Users can gaze at an object and ask what it is or get help with daily tasks, such as inquiring about food ingredients.

Apple is also exploring more advanced applications, such as reading printed text and converting it into digital data (for example, directly adding event poster information to the calendar) or generating smart reminders based on the environment, such as reminding users to pick up a specific item when they see a particular shelf in a supermarket.

In terms of navigation, Siri can provide guidance based on real landmarks rather than just abstract route instructions, such as prompting users to "turn right after passing that red building."

Pendant Device

Considering that not all users are willing to wear glasses, Apple also plans to launch a pendant device and AirPods with cameras.

The concept for the pendant device comes from the industrial design team, which began brainstorming before the glasses design was finalized. It resembles the failed Humane AI Pin but is positioned as an accessory for the iPhone rather than a standalone device.

The device acts as the "always-on camera" for the iPhone and includes a microphone for Siri input. Some employees refer to it as the phone's "eyes and ears."

Unlike the Humane AI Pin, the device does not have a projection or display system and heavily relies on the iPhone's processing power. Although it has a built-in dedicated chip, its computing power is closer to that of AirPods rather than the Apple Watch.

A current point of contention is whether to include a speaker so that users can interact with the device directly without wearing AirPods or taking out their phones.

The pendant is roughly the size of an AirTag and is planned to offer two wearing options: clipped onto clothing or worn around the neck through a hole in the device.

The project is still in its early stages and may be canceled. If it progresses, it could be released as early as next year.

AirPods

Regarding AirPods, a version with a camera may be launched as early as this year. As early as the beginning of 2024, Apple has been exploring related options. The company continues to add AI features to AirPods, including the real-time translation mode launched last year.

In the future, Apple hopes to launch smart glasses with augmented reality displays, but that plan will still take years to realize.

Last year, Apple halted the development of the lighter and cheaper Vision Pro headset, codenamed N100, which was originally intended as a transitional product to AR devices, ultimately choosing to focus on the glasses form factor In addition to wearable devices, Apple is also developing a range of home AI devices, including smart displays built around the new version of Siri, with plans to launch larger screens and versions with robotic arms in the future. Additionally, the company is developing a new version of the HomePod speaker and indoor sensor devices for home security and automation