Apple Stops Work on Camera-Equipped Apple Watch Planned for 2027

[MacRumors]

Apple is no longer planning to release an Apple Watch that includes a camera, reports Bloomberg. Apple was developing Apple Watch and Apple Watch Ultra models that had a camera to view the wearer's surrounding environment, but work on those projects ended this week.

The camera in the Apple Watch would not have been used for features like FaceTime or snapping photos, but instead would have allowed Apple Watch owners to get information about objects and places near them.

An Apple Watch might have been able to do things like provide hours when pointed at a restaurant or store, identify a plant, describe an object, or offer language translations. The wearable camera functionality would have worked much like Visual Intelligence, an AI iPhone feature that lets users point their camera at something to get more information.

Apple planned to release the camera-equipped Apple Watch models in 2027, but the plans are off. It's possible Apple could bring the technology back in the future, and it's not known why development ended.

Though Apple is no longer planning for an Apple Watch with a camera, it's still developing AirPods with tiny cameras inside. The AirPods cameras may be infrared sensors to enable features like enhanced spatial audio, in-air gesture control, and AI capabilities.

Article Link: Apple Stops Work on Camera-Equipped Apple Watch Planned for 2027

 

[MacUserFella]

Apple cancels another product, what else is new?

 

[moabal]

No one wanted this anyways.

 

[MacUserFella]

No one wanted this anyways.

I wanted it, it would’ve made me feel like a spy kid

 

[iSmoggie]

I don’t think this would be very intuitive anyway. It’d be awkward trying to point the camera at something with the watch being on your wrist. I’d prefer to use a feature like this on my phone.

 

[JPack]

The feature never made sense from day one. Most people wear sleeved clothing and jackets.

And how awkward would it be to point your watch at something to take a photo? Just take out your phone.

 

[d-klumpp]

Seems related to the launch of glasses in 2026. No need for pointing with your wrist when you are already looking in that direction.

 

[DrJR]

don’t be rediculous, camera equipped buds would make more sense to capture content with any device, including watch.

 

[jz0309]

Gurman started a rumor: camera in AW
2(?) weeks later: same Gurman says Apple stopped working on this feature

Result: lots of clicks. Oh, and Apple changed its plan, Gurman was not wrong in the first place ...

But hey, keeps us entertained

 

[Chiromac81]

was always a STRETCH goal

 

[jrath1]

Any chance Apple adds cameras to the Mac Pro wheels?

 

[Piggie]

Whilst I'd never say "No" to a camera on the watch, as there is always a possibility there could be handy use cases.
I'd much rather Apple focussed their attention on more advanced future tech like the AR glasses.

 

[dcingie]

Would have been a much more useful feature than AVP tbh

 

[svish]

Was not very keen on the Visual Intelligence part. Would have been good if it could have been used for FaceTime video calls or even taking some photos. Apple might revive the project some time in the future.

 

[TechWhisperer]

Luckily, we still have Apple car, AirPower, enhanced Siri, micro-led… Oh wait.. 🤡

 

[TwoBytes]

An Apple Watch with a camera? I have an iPhone, why would i want to strap that to my wrist? Just make a proper fitness band with a 20-day battery life, without any of this battery-eating junk I have a phone for.

 

[ThisIsMike]

I think this is could potentially come back at a later time. They are probably prioritizing the glasses and the airpods. The airpods would have a much easier time with this since they’d have a “view” from both sides of where you are positioned, and they are already at close to eye level.

 

[erkanasu]

Internal testers prob were filming wiping their ass and they realized a huge lawsuit was coming

 

[WilliApple]

all I want for Apple Watch is L5 GPS on the base model and better battery life

 

[Bokito]

Was this something Apple was seriously considering or was this something Gurman heard about but didn’t verify?

Since Gurman left 9to5mac quotes few stories that were only reported by Gurman/Bloomberg are later retracted. A lot of other stories are just educated guesses. Some is still good intel, but when he reported for 9to5mac I had the idea he never made up stories to fill articles. I think he does now. Or someone told him someone at Apple was thinking about something and he made it to a story like ‘Apple actively working on product <X>.

 

[AndiG]

Haha, Apple canceled „insert name here“ 😂😂😂 Who remembers „one more thing“?

 

[therunningman]

I'd like to see blood oxygen re-implemented in a way that doesn't infringe on copyright.

 

[smulji]

They are probably prioritizing the glasses and the airpods

According to the Bloomberg report, Apple has accelerated development of their AR glasses, so probably right

Apple Now Eyes 2026 for Glasses, Scraps Camera Watch: Report | iPhone in Canada

Apple plans to launch AI-powered smart glasses by late 2026, according to Bloomberg. Camera-equipped Apple Watch plans have been shelved.

www.iphoneincanada.ca

 

[Fuzzball84]

Usually they have opening hours on the door or website.

Not many people go around identifying plants. That’s quite niche.

I’m pretty good at identifying objects without help.

 

[HouseLannister]

The usual Gurman back-peddling. He doesn't want to say he was wrong, but he was wrong.