Kuo: New AirPods to Feature Cameras for Enhanced Spatial Experiences

[DarthDon]

Prototype „IHead“ leak:

 

[klasma]

So they will complement the headphones for your eyes with cameras for your ears?

 

[tothemoonsands]

Same here, I just don’t get the physics of how you would get it to work at an acceptable level without either sealing outside air, or blocking it like the over-ear Max’s.

I was thinking, what about designing the AirPods Pro in such a way that you could remove the standard silicone tips and add a minimalist ring. So there would be a very slight seal - imperceptible to the wearer compared to the regular tips, but still a closer fit than the AirPods.

Just random idea, I think Apple could figure it out but assuming most people are fine falling into one of the two existing camps so they don’t care to bother.

 

[NT1440]

I was thinking, what about designing the AirPods Pro in such a way that you could remove the standard silicone tips and add a minimalist ring. So there would be a very slight seal - imperceptible to the wearer compared to the regular tips, but still a closer fit than the AirPods.

Just random idea, I think Apple could figure it out but assuming most people are fine falling into one of the two existing camps so they don’t care to bother.

Given the thousands of iterations the AirPods go through, I honestly don’t see it happening.

I see the regular AirPod line always being the “passive” audio option.

 

[tothemoonsands]

Given the thousands of iterations the AirPods go through, I honestly don’t see it happening.

I see the regular AirPod line always being the “passive” audio option.

You are probably right. I also assume Apple thinks that if you don't like the tips but want the pro features, then just get the AirPods Max. It's just unfortunate for all of us who are relegated to the basic features over this. I actually have a pair of Gen 1 pros (and Max for that matter), but I find myself using the regular Gen 3 AirPods by a large margin.

 

[NT1440]

You are probably right. I also assume Apple thinks that if you don't like the tips but want the pro features, then just get the AirPods Max. It's just unfortunate for all of us who are relegated to the basic features over this. I actually have a pair of Gen 1 pros (and Max for that matter), but I find myself using the regular Gen 3 AirPods by a large margin.

The second they stop selling a non-sealed model I buy the last generation offered and hope to god they bring it back down the road.

 

[1037]

Sounds like another way to irradiate your brain.

 

[amaze1499]

“I lost my right AirPod Pro 3. How much is a replacement? 500$”

 

[szw-mapple fan]

I don’t want my AirPods looking at me. Just me?

If it’s anything like the faceID sensor like Kuo claims, I don’t think it’s a big problem since it’s not really capturing an image.

 

[JapanApple]

Like the concept of the Air Pods, but for the stock image LOL. The worse

 

[svish]

Hopefully Apple doesn't increase the price due to this addition.

 

[Jackbequickly]

This will be great for all that have the VisonPro. All 100 of them!

 

[miguelcoma]

I don't get it. The Vision Pro already tracks your head orientation very well. How could sensors in your earphones improve that? Also why wouldn't you rather integrate those sensors in the Vision Pro?
The described use case only makes sense for head tracking without the Vision Pro.
Also why not use gyros?

I can tell you why. This is future work for the lightweight Apple Glasses that are many years away. Moving the IR sensors to the AirPods means less weight on the frames so they can be more comfortable. My two cents anyway.

 

[srknpower]

I hope it will have some functions other than for Vision Pro.

 

[wigby]

He must be confused, you would surely put these sensors on Vison Pro itself?

Kuo only knows supply chain. When it comes to actual implementation of the rumored components, he is very ignorant and should not be listed to at all.

 

[rumorsOf]

oh wow , what a novel idea to include IR camera for tracking head movement, because current gen doesnt have head tracking feature at all...

 

[manu chao]

It's interesting that APPL (and other consumer product companies) are considering using sensors in the infrared spectrum. We have generally been oblivious to NIR light in the past 20-30 years. OG incandescent lights would kick about half their energy as infrared light, but "efficient" LED home lighting only emits light the visible spectrum 😢. It turns out that abundant infrared light is crucial for the performance of our mitochondria (search on NIR light mitochondria for science papers and articles on that topic). You can now buy screw-in LED bulbs that generate much red/NIR light (and less "blue light") -- or bulbs that even adapt their radiation spectrum during the day. With sensors, health-reporting apps could monitor how much red/NIR light you're getting. Sunlight provides abundant red/NIR; "get in the sun" is great advice. At the same time, broader-spectrum indoor lighting -- like we used to have -- is an excellent thing for our overall health.

I've been interested at the other end of the light spectrum, ie, UV light. Though I think IR would be less affected by longer hair than UV light.

 

[libmanj]

Nothing on the new AirPods for quite a while. I'm starting to wonder if the release is going to get pushed to next year.