Apple Watches With Cameras Rumored, But FaceTime Unlikely

[MacRumors]

Apple is working on multiple new Apple Watch models with built-in cameras for release by 2027, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.

In his Power On newsletter today, Gurman said Apple plans to add a camera in the screen area on a future Apple Watch Series model. On a future Apple Watch Ultra, he expects the camera to be on the right side of the watch, near the Digital Crown.

Gurman does not expect the cameras to enable FaceTime on the Apple Watch. Instead, he said the cameras would enable Visual Intelligence on future Apple Watch models. This feature would allow Apple Watch users to quickly receive information about items or places their surroundings. For example, they could point their Apple Watch at a restaurant to receive its hours or ratings as they pass by on the sidewalk.

Visual Intelligence debuted on all iPhone 16 models last year, and it is available on iPhone 15 Pro models starting with iOS 18.4.

Apple is also planning to add tiny cameras to future AirPods models, he said. The cameras will bring more AI capabilities to both the Apple Watch and AirPods, allowing Apple to better compete with other AI-powered wearables on the market.

Article Link: Apple Watches With Cameras Rumored, But FaceTime Unlikely

 

[DHagan4755]

FaceTime would seem like an ideal app here. The other rumored feature sounds like it would be awkward to use, or is it me?

 

[Mr. Nice]

How about meaningful innovations:
Like sapphire glass for all AWs.
The normal glass is so prone to scratches.

 

[fwmireault]

I can’t imagine how quick the battery would go down with a FaceTime call on Apple Watch. Also, nobody wants to hold their arm in front of them for multiple minutes. I don’t think there is a realist use case for this feature

 

[Andres Cantu]

Apple Intelligence drains battery life. Can't imagine that being very useful on a watch, especially considering how much easier it would be to just pull your phone out and point its camera where you need to.

Sounds like one more reason to increase the cost of the watch.

 

[senttoschool]

Apple Watch with a notch incoming.

 

[dominiongamma]

I can’t imagine how quick the battery would go down with a FaceTime call on Apple Watch. Also, nobody wants to hold their arm in front of them for multiple minutes. I don’t think there is a realist use case for this feature

I could see it being very helpful if you don’t have your phone , if you need to get in contact with someone for a emergency situation it could be helpful

 

[TechWhisperer]

Give us better battery life first and a lossless audio chip. The current AW audio chip sucks big time.

 

[bhirt37]

How terrible. Who is coming up with there terrible ideas? Please let this be an early april fools joke. I foresee a future where I don't buy any new apple products for years until the Apple Unintellegnce passes. The last thing I want is a camera in my watch and earbuds.

 

[LightProtector]

This would make it so there is a proper “correct” way to wear the watch.

 

[bhirt37]

Give us better battery life first.

Right?

I was having an epic ski day, and the battery on my watch died before last chair. Running a useful app like ski tracks on my not very old watch, i don't even get 7 hours on a full charge.

 

[thefrost]

Oh no please.

 

[jz0309]

Focus on health features, that’s far more useful than “visual intelligence”

 

[patlee2000]

I actually could see it being useful for people with impaired vision.

 

[TurboDrooler]

I can’t imagine how quick the battery would go down with a FaceTime call on Apple Watch. Also, nobody wants to hold their arm in front of them for multiple minutes. I don’t think there is a realist use case for this feature

Didn’t seem to bother Dick Tracy

 

[MDL-Steven]

Yeah yeah.

 

[John_Blackthorne]

This sounds like a terrible idea. Let me hold my wrist up and take a photo of that taco truck's signage. Apple's jumped the shark. If I recall correctly, Samsung's 1st watch (or one of the their firsts) had a camera. It was a dud.

 

[John_Blackthorne]

FaceTime would seem like an ideal app here. The other rumored feature sounds like it would be awkward to use, or is it me?

It's not you. It sounds silly.

 

[JOLoughlin]

I think Visual Intelligence is great or has profound potential BUT it entirely relies on Google and OpenAi (right now). So Apple is going to add a camera for a feature that entirely relies on third parties? I just think Gurman is wrong on this or doesn’t know the full story.

 

[John_Blackthorne]

How about meaningful innovations:
Like sapphire glass for all AWs.
The normal glass is so prone to scratches.

If it they were all Saphire, nobody would buy the higher cost models. In fact, that is the only reason I do--because the "ion glass" on the entry model ones scratch to all hell.

 

[John_Blackthorne]

I think Visual Intelligence is great or has profound potential BUT it entirely relies on Google and OpenAi (right now). So Apple is going to add a camera for a feature that entirely relies on third parties?

My understanding is it's just Google Lens underneath the Apple UI. Anyone with the Google app can pull off the same thing.

 

[JOLoughlin]

My understanding is it's just Google Lens underneath the Apple UI. Anyone with the Google app can pull off the same thing.

Yea… its an odd feature for Apple to relinquish so much user privacy and functionality to other companies no?

 

[Mr. Nice]

If it they were all Saphire, nobody would buy the higher cost models. In fact, that is the only reason I do--because the "ion glass" on the entry model ones scratch to all hell.

Saphire for all watches, cellular for the higher cost models. 🤷🏻‍♂️

The price difference here is too big for me with the AW 10 Titan/saphire -> 800€:
350€ more for sapphire glass (and cellular, which I don't need)

I'd rather buy a new AW after 2-3 years.

Apple also pushed the price up at the time so that the price was closer to the AW ultra.
Apple's famous price ladder to encourage buyers to spend even more.🫣

 

[Ramchi]

Samsung tried this in their first iteration of smart watches almost 10-12 years back. Not sure if this is a good idea unless battery performance and other factors are considered. People are looking at Blood Pressure monitor, Blood Sugar monitor or similar health tracking systems. That itself will be bit complex considering the battery performance of Apple Watches, adding camera module in the tiny space along with software (AI) etc….will be too much for the Apple Watch to handle.

 

[Greyland]

Apple is working on multiple new Apple Watch models with built-in cameras for release by 2027, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.

In his Power On newsletter today, Gurman said Apple plans to add a camera in the screen area on a future Apple Watch Series model. On a future Apple Watch Ultra, he expects the camera to be on the right side of the watch, near the Digital Crown.

Gurman does not expect the cameras to enable FaceTime on the Apple Watch. Instead, he said the cameras would enable Visual Intelligence on future Apple Watch models. This feature would allow Apple Watch users to quickly receive information about items or places their surroundings. For example, they could point their Apple Watch at a restaurant to receive its hours or ratings as they pass by on the sidewalk.

Visual Intelligence debuted on all iPhone 16 models last year, and it is available on iPhone 15 Pro models starting with iOS 18.4.

Apple is also planning to add tiny cameras to future AirPods models, he said. The cameras will bring more AI capabilities to both the Apple Watch and AirPods, allowing Apple to better compete with other AI-powered wearables on the market.

Article Link: Apple Watches With Cameras Rumored, But FaceTime Unlikely

Ahhh, but I’ve been looking forward to my Dick Tracy Watch ever since Apple introduced Face Time and the Apple Watch. 🧐🤨