Apple Plans New AirPods With Built-In Cameras for Advanced Visual Intelligence
Apple is reportedly preparing to launch its first AirPods model equipped with built-in cameras, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. This development marks a significant step in Apple's wearable technology strategy, which includes smart glasses and other AI-driven devices. The company has been working for years on an advanced AirPods project under the internal code B798, originally slated for release in 2026 but now expected only by late 2027.
Alongside B798, Apple is also developing another version, code-named B790, which appears to be progressing faster and could launch as early as this year. Evidence for B790's advancement was found in the iOS 27 beta code, suggesting it might debut before the end of 2024, possibly at Apple's fall event in September alongside the new iPhone lineup. The exact differences between B790 and B798 remain unclear, as Apple has not disclosed technical details.
The cameras integrated into these AirPods are not intended for capturing photos or videos. Instead, they aim to provide Siri with real-time visual data about the user's environment, enhancing Apple's Visual Intelligence capabilities. Due to the expected high cost and technological complexity, Apple may brand this new product as AirPods Ultra rather than continuing under the AirPods Pro series, which currently retails around $249.
If the B790 model launches this year, it will represent Apple's first step into AI-powered audio wearables with visual sensing, while the more advanced B798 model is anticipated to arrive later, potentially by the end of 2027.
