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Apple Developing AirTag-Sized AI Pin With Dual Cameras

I call B.S. No way they are that out of touch to release this sort of product, let alone give it serious development thought. Every version of these released so far has been a catastrophic failure, and not just because the AI and hardware were incompetent, but because... people don't want them.
 
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I have had AI fatigue for a year now. This is getting ridiculous. Correction: This has already been ridiculous.

What’s next? AI toilet paper?
 
MacRumors said:


Apple is working on a small, wearable AI pin equipped with multiple cameras, a speaker, and microphones, reports The Information. If it actually launches, the AI pin will likely run the new Siri chatbot that Apple plans to unveil in iOS 27.

airtag-prime-day-2.jpeg

The pin is said to be similar in size to an AirTag, with a thin, flat, circular disc shape. It has an aluminum and glass shell, and two cameras at the front. There is a standard lens and a wide-angle lens that are meant to capture photos and videos, while three microphones are designed to pick up sound around the wearer. An included speaker allows the pin to play audio, and there is a physical control button along one edge. The device is able to wirelessly charge like an Apple Watch.

Apple wants the final version of the pin to be about the same size as an AirTag, but it will be slightly thicker. Currently, there is no built-in attachment method, but that could change later in development.

The Information says it is not clear if Apple plans to sell the pin on its own or bundle it with future smart glasses or other devices, but the physical button and built-in cameras, speakers, and microphones suggest that it can operate independently.

AI pins and wearables have not fared well so far, but multiple companies are developing AI wearables. OpenAI is teaming up with Jony Ive for some kind of small AI device that may or may not be wearable, and it has multiple other AI products in the works. Meta has AI glasses, and Amazon has the Bee bracelet. Dozens of other small companies have created small, AI-integrated wearables and devices, which means Apple needs to keep pace.

Apple's AI pin could be released as soon as 2027, but The Information cautions that development is in the early stages and could be canceled.

Article Link: Apple Developing AirTag-Sized AI Pin With Dual Cameras
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Wondering what the pro /max / ultra version might look like.
 
MacRumors said:


Apple is working on a small, wearable AI pin equipped with multiple cameras, a speaker, and microphones…
​
The pin is said to be similar in size to an AirTag…
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Wow, I didn’t realize Apple had already developed both fusion and Tardis space-bending technology. :rolleyes:
 
I was trying to figure out a reason why to own and use such a device.

Then a use came to mind: documenting ICE murder and abuses, and other fascist MAGAt lawbreakers.

But I don't understand why the AI slop is needed.
 
Icehawk said:
So getting close to STar Trek commbadges
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Commbadges do not have cameras.

B4U said:
All the peeping Tom and stalker will thank this invention, oh wait... 🤣 🙊
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The AI’s strong ethics and morality training will not allow it to record anything inappropriate… but it will let you send any random photos of people to Grok to undress them.

turbineseaplane said:
Do we really want to live like this?

I already can't stand everyone staring at their phone, or being so incredibly rude as to not remove headphones (even large over the ear ones!) at stores when interacting with staff.

Just me talking to you in person might mean you're photographing me, videoing me, recording what I'm saying? Or not paying attention at all!

It just sounds bloody awful and so not "human".
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On one hand, dash cams have become prolific and constantly recording. On the other hand, probably 10% of dash cam footage gets used for its intended purpose, the other 90% gets posted online to put people on blast. Thats exactly what would happen if you give millions of people body cams.

Macropanda said:
If people take out a phone and start filming, you know it’s happening.
With these? The inside of your house could be being broadcast to the world and you would have no idea.
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Imagine going back 30 years and your friend came over for a casual visit and toted their 35mm camera everywhere they went in your house while they were there… it’s wild to me we just accept anyone entering our private space is carrying a 20+ megapixel camera that can send any picture/video into the world in an instant.


Notice that the people that always push this stuff are insecure/socially awkward? Probably have trouble reading social cues and yet control freaks? They want this so the AI can tell them appear as a better human.
 
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I can believe this from a feasibility point of view. It’s effectively the watch but with no screen and a couple of cameras. They could do it, no problem, and probably execute it very well. Should they? Hell no. Please no more wearable cameras. Such an invasion of privacy and I don’t see how that chimes with Apples privacy focus. So I don’t think this is going anywhere.
 
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With the right software, it can be a great product. Combined with Apple's privacy, don't think there will be anything to worry. Wonder how much Apple will charge for such a device if it ever makes it to the market.
 
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This is weird. I was just saying I wish there were more products getting AI shoved in them. And then this!
 
This is all time, money, and effort that could go towards improving hardware and OS. Nobody needs any more lifestyle products.
 
zenmacx said:
The word that comes to mind is naive.
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How can people be naïve about something that doesn't exist?

Are you saying Apple engineers are naïve for imagining something?

If you're suggesting I'm naïve, I very clearly called out the privacy implications of a device (assuming it's something in development that would be released).

Or, if you're suggesting you're naïve, there's nothing wrong with that. However, this device (again, let's pretend there's anything to this rumor) has the potential for abuse and will be used wrongfully should it be released (not likely to get released, but certainly a possibility).
 
I was thinking about this the other day (wearable clip-on of some sort), but it was to be the brains for the smart ring; it would have LiDAR at most, not camera. All the smart rings on the market right now can't do much since the entire volume is battery + sensors + rolling mechanism.

I had it so the ring could dock onto/into the clip-on for recharging. The ring+clip-on would then go onto the usual charging pad. LiDAR would be optional, for spatial awareness applications, but you could just keep it in your pocket like an AirPods case.

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I really don't think this pin would/should have a normal visual camera, it would be very shaky footage anyways; would have to waste a lot of processing/resolution to stabilize the footage, long hair/clothing/straps covering it, usual privacy problems, etc. I could see it being a LiDAR camera for periodic spatial mapping/awareness, feeding that to the LLM/other devices for 'spatial context'.
 
sevoneone said:
The AI’s strong ethics and morality training will not allow it to record anything inappropriate… but it will let you send any random photos of people to Grok to undress them.
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Grok?
Oh, that "AI".
The one that when asked which icon was better between Twitter and X and chose Twitter.
 
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