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Apple continues to explore the idea of releasing camera-equipped AirPods in the future, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.

airpods-pro-purple.jpg

Gurman only briefly mentioned the possibility of AirPods gaining tiny cameras, as part of his Power On newsletter intro this week, focused on Apple's future wearables ambitions. He did not explain what the cameras would be used for.

The tiny cameras would not be for taking photos, but rather serve as 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. He said the infrared camera component would be similar to the iPhone's Face ID receiver.

Kuo said the new AirPods with infrared cameras would provide an enhanced spatial audio experience with the Apple Vision Pro headset.

"For example, when a user is watching a video with Vision Pro and wearing this new AirPods, if users turn their heads to look in a specific direction, the sound source in that direction can be emphasized to enhance the spatial audio/computing experience," wrote Kuo.

The infrared cameras could potentially enable "in-air gesture control" as well, allowing for device interaction with hand movements.

If the alleged 2026 mass production timeframe remains on schedule, the new AirPods with infrared cameras could launch in 2026 or 2027.

Article Link: Apple Still 'Exploring' New AirPods With Tiny Cameras
 
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I wonder why Apple never put an infrared camera on the iPhones. Wouldn't that be a first for any device maker?

I’ve wanted this for a while now. Thermal cameras can be expensive but they are useful for spotting heat spots, particularly on PCBs. Given the Apple Watch Ultra has stuff like a dive computer that will be useless for 99% of Apple Watch Ultra owners, I don’t see why Apple couldn’t do an iPhone Science or something and equip it with lots of sensors for things like heat, light, sound, etc. Some of that might even be possible just using the cameras and mics on there already.
 
The challenge Apple is having is balancing battery life with adding an IR sensor and the power required, let alone the additional compute resources needed. Of course they will continue to add more abilities to the AirPods, just like they did with Apple Watch, so it won’t be surprising to see them add features instead of extending battery life.
 
Kuo might be on to something, Gurman just filling lines so his “newsletter” seems “beefier”
 
I want an AirPods Pro with TouchID instead. Siri is asking a lot for authentications lately.
That actually does lead to an interesting question. Can these infrared sensors be used to authenticate someone by scanning the inside of your ears? Because you’re right, it’s annoying when you ask Siri a question and it’s like “yOu nEeD tO UnLoCk yOuR IpHoNe fIrSt”
 
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Apple continues to explore the idea of releasing camera-equipped AirPods in the future, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.

airpods-pro-purple.jpg

Gurman only briefly mentioned the possibility of AirPods gaining tiny cameras, as part of his Power On newsletter intro this week, focused on Apple's future wearables ambitions. He did not explain what the cameras would be used for.

The tiny cameras would not be for taking photos, but rather serve as 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. He said the infrared camera component would be similar to the iPhone's Face ID receiver.

Kuo said the new AirPods with infrared cameras would provide an enhanced spatial audio experience with the Apple Vision Pro headset.

"For example, when a user is watching a video with Vision Pro and wearing this new AirPods, if users turn their heads to look in a specific direction, the sound source in that direction can be emphasized to enhance the spatial audio/computing experience," wrote Kuo.

The infrared cameras could potentially enable "in-air gesture control" as well, allowing for device interaction with hand movements.

If the alleged 2026 mass production timeframe remains on schedule, the new AirPods with infrared cameras could launch in 2026 or 2027.

Article Link: Apple Still 'Exploring' New AirPods With Tiny Cameras
Just give me lossless audio on AirPods.
 
This is 100% the way to handle Visual Intelligence before getting into full AR glasses. This would be Apple's response to Meta RayBan glasses. They're not AR, just POV cameras on your head with AI in your ears.

An Apple Watch housing the computational engine with AirPods handling audio input and output as well as visual input, is a near complete AI stack.

Look in the mirror while wearing AirPods Pro. Each eye can see the stem of the AirPod on their respective side. Together, they complete a full 180º field of view.
 
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I'm not sure about this idea.
Gurman only briefly mentioned the possibility of AirPods gaining tiny cameras, as part of his Power On newsletter intro this week, focused on Apple's future wearables ambitions. He did not explain what the cameras would be used for.
With Mark Gurman, it's always about possibilities.
The tiny cameras would not be for taking photos, but rather serve as infrared sensors.
If it was Meta, it would be the opposite.
 
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