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AirPods and Apple Watch Models to Get Tiny AI Cameras in 2027
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I guess I'll start a new Dbrand style of sticker that covers said cameras and gives your AirPods a new colorful and styled look.
Agreed. Gurman has talked for months about cameras in future Apple Watch models and AirPods models, but neither report really makes sense. Some reports mention infrared cameras, but IR cameras for images – that can see through most clothing – are just creepy. Perhaps they are simply monitoring ambient infrared radiation: sensors for a Fourth Fitness Ring!
The science paper Melatonin and the Optics of the Human Body (2019) notes how infrared light sustains melatonin production in our mitochondria and that we have recently removed about 80% of our indoor infrared sources. Does that have a significant health impact? There are over 8K papers listed in the photobiomodulation research database. Apple could already have several years of clinical research on the health impact of monitoring infrared from sunlight and specialty indoor lights. They would know exactly how much light to complete that hypothetical new fitness ring. Gurman would know nothing about this because much of the work would be in Apple Health software.
For millions of years, we have had tons of infrared radiation. We started losing it in the last 200 years (and especially in the last 20 years). NDT famously claims that IR radiation “[is] completely useless to you” in a TikTok. He should know better. Nature is fiendish at using everything available to sustain life; why would it ignore this energy-rich part of sunlight? Lower-energy IR light can penetrate to a surprising percentage of our cells. Promoting this health-monitoring feature could have a huge impact on Apple’s future products. Red Light Therapy Panels have been growing in popularity; there's even a screw-in combo LED/incandescent combo light bulb that provides a decent amount of indoor background IR radiation.
Huge props if the Apple Health teams have kept IR-sensing product development a secret. OTOH, I'm disappointed that competitors journalists haven't connected the dots on this idea yet. One more thing: there's a petition for the DOE to create a "health light" category: screw-in light bulbs that kick out some infrared. IMHO, that petition deserves some attention.
—phil
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Whatever the benefit of this may be, it’s not the direction I was hoping Apple would go. I would have hoped they would use every micron of available space to continue improving sound quality and noise cancellation. As good as technology is, a big part of any headphones is the acoustic environment itself.
IR cameras that can see right though clothing, but that can't be hacked to record images? How will privacy advocates be convinced?
I wish we could facetime on AirPods so it can finally be hands free 😭
Apple plans to add tiny cameras to AirPods and Apple Watch models in 2027 that will embed Apple Intelligence in the devices, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.
The cameras are expected to scan the environment and describe objects, similar to the Visual Intelligence feature on newer iPhones. Apple is also working on smart glasses that include cameras, microphones, and integrated AI, much like the Ray-Bans from Meta. The glasses are also expected by 2027, according to Gurman.
Apple is developing a new chip for the smart glasses, and it is said to be based on chips that are used in the Apple Watch, so there's likely to be AI feature crossover across the devices.
The cameras could be infrared sensors. In a June 2024 blog post, Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said Apple planned to mass produce new AirPods with infrared cameras by 2026. The infrared cameras could potentially enable "in-air gesture control" as well, allowing for device interaction with hand movements, according to Kuo.
Given Kuo's 2026 mass production timeframe, we could potentially see the new AirPods with infrared cameras launch in 2026 or 2027.
Article Link: AirPods and Apple Watch Models to Get Tiny AI Cameras in 2027
How many people take their watch/AirPods with them to places where cameras may be inappropriate?
For example, to the washroom? 🤔
For example, to the washroom? 🤔
There are already cameras that can image the entire small bowel. Like the Medtronic Pillcam. https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/capsule-endoscopy/about/pac-20393366
The patient wears a vest with receivers in in and swallows the pill. Several hours later you get a neat set of pics of the gut.
It is very difficult to focus infrared light enough to get a detailed image. It would be nearly impossible in the volume of an AirPod.
I know, it exists in Sweden as well.This already exists and has been used for many years. Apple would be pretty late to the game.
Capsule endoscopy - Mayo Clinic
www.mayoclinic.org
Ha ha… Take one or two capsules of Enzymes and Probiotics with your food. You would feel much better.
The Photobiomodulation Research Database (mentioned in this discussion) has several hits on PBM for IBD. Have you looked them up?
I feel like it’ll add minimal benefit to AirPods users, with the main intention being to collect sensor/camera research data. Imagine how much data Apple could collect from the massive AirPods user base to refine sensors for products like smart glasses