It is bs. But, you can guarantee that when it turns out to not happen there will be an article about “Why Apple Cancelled the Camera Feature on the AirPod Pros” lol. 😆
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Apple's Camera-Equipped AirPods Ultra: What to Expect
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bLackjackj
macrumors 65816
Ummm, hate to break it to you but we all have cameras on us all the time.
The creepiness comes from the person, not the technology 🙄🤦♂️
AppleWes
macrumors 6502a
No we don't [currently] have cameras on us "all the time" as this thread is about when they're hidden in normal looking airpods / eye glasses or other devices. It is not ok to record in public bathrooms, locker rooms, hospitals etc...
It would be odd if a doctor or nurse walked in holding a video camera during private exams yet they're doing exactly that if wearing Meta glasses. No thank you.
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Exactly, because ...
ask yourself, WHY exactly do we need cameras in EARBUDS?!?
"Just because you can, doesn't mean you should".
zapmymac
macrumors 65816
I’ve been testing a new pair of earbuds from Anker/Soundcore. They sound very good, and the noise cancellation is better than my AirPod pro 2. #Libertypro5
I also don’t see the pragmatic use of cameras in these rumored version 4 🤨
At least I’ll be able to get v.3’s somewhat cheaper if these do come out, or all buy non-Apple when the time comes…
I also don’t see the pragmatic use of cameras in these rumored version 4 🤨
At least I’ll be able to get v.3’s somewhat cheaper if these do come out, or all buy non-Apple when the time comes…
bLackjackj
macrumors 65816
YOU don’t, but others might. Especially someone who is legally blind. Plenty of cheap options for you on the market..🤦♂️
Porco
macrumors 68040
I am struggling to think of an Apple product I’ve ever wanted to own less than these, and I think they are creepy and kind of disgusting generally, but well done for providing an actually good use case for them!
EM2013
macrumors 68030
customers: improve fit and audio quality
Apple: lol here’s cameras for ai
Apple: lol here’s cameras for ai
Fair, that is indeed a valid use case I hadn't thought about. But, so far it's not marketed as such. Which tells you a lot in itself.
jayducharme
macrumors 603
You're obviously not their target market. It's not like Apple will abandon traditional AirPods for those who just want to listen to music. If you don't need cameras in your AirPods, don't buy that model. But there are other users (someone mentioned the blind) for whom this could be a game-changer.
i think not only for visually impaired, but even for many seniors who might be suffering from hearing problems as well if the visual feed is able to clearly warn them of things in their path, etc.
the first rumors about this was about two years ago, and at that time the cameras would be infrared cameras, not actual camera like in the iPhone, where the infrared sees objects and shapes but not photo quality images.
these cameras will assist in situational awareness situations, including identification of the building where you are standing in front. and read the menu that is posted on the chalkboard (that alone is worth getting them if you find it hard to read hand-written wall type menus).
the Watch, due to its placement on the wrist, is not well suited for photos or images.
where is any rumor that says these cameras will take photos or video that anybody can actually use other than for location awareness related applications ?
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dannyyankou
macrumors P6
You really think Apple is putting cameras in AirPods for the tiny percentage of people who are legally blind? To use your favorite emoji: 🤦♂️
This must be the new tactic of people advocating for dystopian technology: if you don't like it, you don't care about the handicapped.
I see a huge market for these new AirPods. IF....
I believe there is going to be a company or developer who creates a safety / security App linked to these cameras in the AirPods and the enhanced Siri on the iPhones.
Siri will be able to say to the camera-enabled AirPod wearer:
"Churchman..." "Yes Siri?" "AirPods Personal Security Alert has detected the same person has been following you 10 feet back for the last 3 city blocks. There is a secure banking location 8 feet ahead of you on your immediately left. Please enter that location as soon as possible. I have sent a image of the person to your iPhone. If this is an emergency, please alert bank security and local police and show them the photo."
Or...
"Churchman..." "Yes Siri?" "AirPods Child Security Alert has detected a potential threat to your child. Please look at your child on the swing. A person not in your approved child contacts has just approached your child with candy. Because she is listening to music on Airpods, I was able to record what the person said to your child. Please listen to the exchange now. Please retrieve your child now. Your child's AirPods captured a photo fo the person. I have forwarded the photo to your iPhone. If this is an emergency, contact the local police and give them the photo."
Or...
"Churchman..." "Yes Siri?" "I must interrupt your call. AirPods Executive Security Alert has detected a possible threat. AirPods camera and iPhone Lidar indicates a person 10 feet to your right is carrying an object that possibly matches the shape of a knife. The person's trajectory will shortly intersect with you. Quickly, visually verify the accuracy of this assessment. If needed, activate the iPhone emergency alarm. Then immediately move to secure location."
Or...
"Churchman..." "Yes Siri?" "AirPods Personal Security Alert has detected a possible threat to your elderly mother. She was wearing her AirPods when she answered her door. Please listen to this exchange. AirPods audio sensors indicate a struggle and quick movements. She is no longer at the address you associate with her. Mapping indicates she is moving rapidly in a Northwesterly direction. If you believe this is an emergency, please call 911 and send local police the audio and AirPods images that have been sent to your iPhone. I can link you directly to your mother should you wish to check-in right now."
If there is a truly robust safety / security App tied to the camera-enabled AirPods and AI-enabled iPhones... and their ability to use cameras, lidar, real time mapping, and AI to do measured personal threat assessments, I see many, many buyers for this:
- executives and companies wishing to buy these to protect C-Suite leadership
- women
- parents buying these for their children to enhance child security when out in public
- people buying these as an extra layer of monitoring for elderly relatives
- travelers buying these for security against muggings / pickpockets
- police departments and law enforcement
- public figures of all types
This will sell nicely with the right safety / security Apps.
I believe there is going to be a company or developer who creates a safety / security App linked to these cameras in the AirPods and the enhanced Siri on the iPhones.
Siri will be able to say to the camera-enabled AirPod wearer:
"Churchman..." "Yes Siri?" "AirPods Personal Security Alert has detected the same person has been following you 10 feet back for the last 3 city blocks. There is a secure banking location 8 feet ahead of you on your immediately left. Please enter that location as soon as possible. I have sent a image of the person to your iPhone. If this is an emergency, please alert bank security and local police and show them the photo."
Or...
"Churchman..." "Yes Siri?" "AirPods Child Security Alert has detected a potential threat to your child. Please look at your child on the swing. A person not in your approved child contacts has just approached your child with candy. Because she is listening to music on Airpods, I was able to record what the person said to your child. Please listen to the exchange now. Please retrieve your child now. Your child's AirPods captured a photo fo the person. I have forwarded the photo to your iPhone. If this is an emergency, contact the local police and give them the photo."
Or...
"Churchman..." "Yes Siri?" "I must interrupt your call. AirPods Executive Security Alert has detected a possible threat. AirPods camera and iPhone Lidar indicates a person 10 feet to your right is carrying an object that possibly matches the shape of a knife. The person's trajectory will shortly intersect with you. Quickly, visually verify the accuracy of this assessment. If needed, activate the iPhone emergency alarm. Then immediately move to secure location."
Or...
"Churchman..." "Yes Siri?" "AirPods Personal Security Alert has detected a possible threat to your elderly mother. She was wearing her AirPods when she answered her door. Please listen to this exchange. AirPods audio sensors indicate a struggle and quick movements. She is no longer at the address you associate with her. Mapping indicates she is moving rapidly in a Northwesterly direction. If you believe this is an emergency, please call 911 and send local police the audio and AirPods images that have been sent to your iPhone. I can link you directly to your mother should you wish to check-in right now."
If there is a truly robust safety / security App tied to the camera-enabled AirPods and AI-enabled iPhones... and their ability to use cameras, lidar, real time mapping, and AI to do measured personal threat assessments, I see many, many buyers for this:
- executives and companies wishing to buy these to protect C-Suite leadership
- women
- parents buying these for their children to enhance child security when out in public
- people buying these as an extra layer of monitoring for elderly relatives
- travelers buying these for security against muggings / pickpockets
- police departments and law enforcement
- public figures of all types
This will sell nicely with the right safety / security Apps.
To give advertisers information of your surroundings, you mean.
MacLawyer
macrumors 65816
I did actually start reading the article and stopped here, after which I only continued scanning it for the important information.
Because the first thing that came to my mind, especially in light of recent changes to map was: targeted advertisement.
While there may be very valid use cases (such as for visually impaired people), wouldn't they already be covered by the rumored glasses? Again, why do earbuds in addition to that need cameras?
I like that framing, very similar to why we have cameras on businesses, homes, in cars, etc. There are tons of other use cases based on camera quality overtime. Sports training would be interesting for a POV of the athlete you are trying to help improve.. It will be interesting to see, but I agree it could be a slippery slope on privacy.
What about long hair? And how much camera and computing power can you put in an ear pod? Seems like another way for the visually impaired would be more realistic. Glasses obviously come to mind, since they can be larger and stay aimed. Obvious disconnect though for someone who doesn't benefit from glasses, although some can see and wear glasses and other wear dark glasses. Agreeing with whoever said these will not happen.
I can't keep AirPods in my ears; I have no idea how many people have this problem. Attaching something to help keep them is is really inconvenient because of the charger.
I must admit I judge people that I see wearing them outside of very specific instances.
If you are running a race and want to document it, cool. Otherwise, they are just weird.
An infrared camera, low res for sure as high res IR cameras cost thousands of dollars, will not and cannot be used for any of the assumed use cases in the article. Reminder, infrared cameras see heat signatures not visible light. This would however be great for tracking warm and close objects (I.e. HANDS) for richer and more importantly silent interaction with Siri.
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frenchcamp49er
macrumors 6502a
Flight Plan
macrumors 65816
I get a skin reaction when I wear a silicone watch band for too long. Why is everything made of silicone these days?
A skin reaction in my ears? Well, at least maybe I can send pictures of my inflamed ear canals to my dermatologist.
I do like the regular airpods. Without cameras. But more importantly, without silicone that never fits and causes me to get blisters.
A skin reaction in my ears? Well, at least maybe I can send pictures of my inflamed ear canals to my dermatologist.
I do like the regular airpods. Without cameras. But more importantly, without silicone that never fits and causes me to get blisters.