Apple Planning Smart Glasses and AirPods With Cameras for 2027

Apple is working on smart glasses and AirPods with built-in cameras for a potential release in 2027, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. The devices are said to be part of Apple's efforts to expand its augmented reality product lineup beyond the Vision Pro headset with something that has wider appeal.

Apple Glasses Triad Feature
The push for new AR products comes as the Vision Pro faces challenges in the market. Many users find the $3,500 headset too heavy for extended use, expensive, and prone to overheating, relegating it to niche status. Interest in the device has reportedly waned since its launch, with sales falling short of Apple's expectations.

In his latest "Power On" newsletter, Gurman reports that Apple's Vision Products Group is now looking beyond the Vision Pro and considering launching smart glasses comparable to Meta's Ray-Ban collaboration. The smart glasses and camera-equipped AirPods are intended to make use of the billions of dollars invested in the Vision Pro's visual intelligence capabilities. This technology allows devices to analyze their surroundings and provide relevant information to users.

A software update coming later this year will bring a similar feature to iPhone 16 models: Users will be able to open the Camera app and point it at an object to get information about that object with a click and hold gesture. Pointing it at a restaurant, for example, will bring up hours and ratings, while pointing it at a plant will identify the plant. Using visual control with something that has a date, such as a flyer, will add the date to the Calendar app.

Apple's smart glasses and AirPods with cameras are still in the planning stages, but are said to represent Apple's strategy to bring augmented reality features to more accessible form factors. The company is reportedly concerned about its current position in the AR market, with Meta already offering smart glasses at a lower price point.

Gurman also mentioned Apple's plans for nearer-term Vision Pro iterations. A lower-cost version of the headset, priced around $2,000, could arrive as early as next year, while a second-generation Vision Pro with an upgraded processor is reportedly slated for 2026.

Related Forums: AirPods, Apple Vision Pro

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Top Rated Comments

stocklen Avatar
27 weeks ago
Must be fun to be Mark.

Make up any old Tutt and say its a few years away with no repercussions or people picking him up on when its total fantasy.

Cameras in AirPods? really?
Has he thought about this Nostradamus level prediction?
How does this work for people with long hair? Those cameras are going to have a great view.
Privacy? Apple's main thing is privacy. Cameras in AirPods that you can wear to the gym and have on in the changing rooms/showers? Really?

This is one of the 'Gurman grains of salt' predictions that we get a lot of.
Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)
JPack Avatar
27 weeks ago
AirPods will have IR cameras, not RGB. Kao talked about this months ago. Will allow in-air gestures.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
goobot Avatar
27 weeks ago
No way they can make a worthwhile pair of smart glasses that quickly, try 10 years from now maybe
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
wanha Avatar
27 weeks ago
I'm all for Gurman's product rumors, but I can't stand his Apple commentary of late.

In this particular newsletter, he first writes:

"Apple blew billions on a car project that it shut down earlier this year, and the company’s Vision Pro hasn’t yet proved that a face-worn technology can be a hit."

But then later in the same newsletter goes on to say:

"The company has a stable base of revenue, at nearly $400 billion a year, but Apple can’t coast forever."

Well which one is it, Mark? Is Apple coasting or is Apple blowing billions on trying to find/create new product categories?
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Anaxarxes Avatar
27 weeks ago

I looked through the original article by Gurman, and he did meant actual Airpods with built-in camera. So they’re separate from the smart glasses.
rumors could be far from actual products :)



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Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
CrysisDeu Avatar
27 weeks ago
lol too slow.. good luck
I would buy one if they released last year
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)