Apple Inc is reportedly moving closer to launching a new version of AirPods equipped with built-in cameras, as the company reaches an advanced testing phase for the product.

The device, which has circulated in reports for some time, is part of Apple’s broader effort to develop hardware centered around artificial intelligence. That initiative also includes plans for smart glasses designed to compete with Meta’s Ray-Ban collaboration. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the new AirPods could become Apple’s first wearable focused primarily on AI capabilities.

Sources say each earbud will include a camera, though the feature is not intended for taking photos or recording video like Meta’s glasses. Instead, the cameras will function as visual input for Siri, allowing the assistant to analyze surroundings and respond to user questions about what it “sees.”

For instance, a user could point the AirPods toward ingredients on a table, and Siri would suggest possible meals. Gurman likened the concept to the way users upload images to tools like Gemini or ChatGPT for analysis.

The concept first surfaced in 2024, and the product is now reportedly undergoing design validation testing internally. The next step would be production validation testing, which typically signals the start of early manufacturing. Early prototypes resemble the AirPods Pro 3, though they are said to have slightly extended stems to accommodate the camera components.

At the same time, Apple faces a major hurdle in refining Siri, which is central to the product’s functionality. The company has struggled to roll out a more advanced version of the assistant, and delays recently led to a $250 million settlement tied to related claims.

To bridge the gap, Apple entered into an agreement with Google to incorporate Gemini AI models into its ecosystem. After integrating those models, the company reportedly rebuilt Siri’s underlying framework and is now preparing for a possible release of the upgraded assistant in September.

More details could emerge during Apple’s annual Worldwide Developers Conference keynote scheduled for June 8. The delayed Siri upgrade has also reportedly held back updates to other products, including the Apple TV 4K and HomePod. If the revamped assistant performs as expected, additional product announcements may follow later in the year.

As for the camera-enabled AirPods themselves, no official release window has been announced. However, Gurman reports that development is further along than other experimental AI devices Apple has been exploring, such as smart glasses and wearable pendants, which are believed to be targeting a 2027 timeframe.

{Matzav.com}