Rather than functioning as conventional cameras, the sensors are expected to feed information into Visual Intelligence. This would allow Siri to answer questions about what is around the wearer or save information they encounter throughout the day.

This is not the first report suggesting Apple is developing AirPods with cameras. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman previously claimed the earbuds would collect “visual information in low resolution,” effectively acting as eyes for Apple’s AI features.

Potential uses could include asking Siri questions about nearby objects, saving information without taking out your iPhone, or receiving more detailed turn-by-turn directions based on the wearer’s surroundings.

The AirPods shown in the video resemble a slightly thicker version of the AirPods Pro 3, with longer stems seemingly providing room for the additional hardware.

Apple has not officially announced the device, so its final name, price, features, and launch date remain unknown. However, previous reports suggest the AirPods could arrive as early as September alongside Apple’s next generation of iPhones.

top 50 comments

sorted by: hot top controversial new old
[–] 156 points 2 weeks ago (2 children)
  • [–] 78 points 2 weeks ago (2 children)

    But, like, why though? Who asked for this?

  • source
  • hideshow 4 child comments
  • [–] 4 points 2 weeks ago*

    Because they have to compete with other tech giants and their AI initiatives or they will be left behind and eventually bought out by one of them. All these companies are in fierce competition with each other for survival right now. You still think they make products for our benefit? Those benefits are necessary for us to participate, it isn't why they make those products.

  • source
  • parent
  • [–] 71 points 2 weeks ago (2 children)

    These better be very visually distinct from ordinary AirPods - I do not want to be mistaken for the sort of twat who would wear something with a camera in it 🫤

  • source
  • hideshow 4 child comments
  • [–] 33 points 2 weeks ago (1 child)

    I’m hoping this is bullshit, but this is a fast track out of the Apple ecosystem for me.

    If anyone actually wants this they they don’t have the intelligence to consider the consequences.

    Either way I hope it’s announced this month as I need new headphones.

  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 2 child comments
  • [–] 7 points 2 weeks ago (3 children)

    Maybe BS, but I’d wager only partly true, because the kind of sensors needed for basic local environment awareness aren’t “cameras” in the usual sense even if the have an array of photoreceptors like a camera uses. It might be better described as a higher resolution version of the IR light detectors currently used.

    Regardless, given a few undeniable technical realities, like ridiculously tiny batteries and the bandwidth requirements of video vs available BT throughput, there is 0% chance of these earbuds becoming pervglasses-like surveillance wear.

    Reactionaries and sourgrapists don’t give a rats ass about truth, however, so prepare for sensationalist headlines no matter what.

  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 4 child comments
  • [–] 6 points 2 weeks ago

    That’s a really good point about the sort of image quality they could capture and transmit given the tiny battery… but if they sacrifice the battery life or NC development to add in some AI data gathering it’s a step too far for me.

  • source
  • parent
  • load more comments (2 replies)
  • [–] 65 points 2 weeks ago (1 child)

    "People don't want cameras on their glasses"

    "What if we put them on their airpods?"

  • source
  • hideshow 2 child comments
  • [–] 54 points 2 weeks ago (3 children)

    Oh so they've learnt nothing from Meta's pervert glasses?

  • source
  • hideshow 5 child comments
  • load more comments (1 reply)
    [–] 47 points 2 weeks ago (2 children)

    Seems like Apple didn't get the memo as public opinion has turned on having cameras absolutely everywhere. I get that it's for "visual intelligence", but that's just some marketing to try and convince people this doesn't make you look as pervy as wearing the Meta Raybans.

  • source
  • hideshow 3 child comments
  • load more comments (1 reply)
    [–] 44 points 2 weeks ago (1 child)
  • [–] 40 points 2 weeks ago (2 children)

    Where the hell do they find their focus groups that encourage this crap?

  • source
  • hideshow 3 child comments
  • load more comments (1 reply)
    [–] 34 points 2 weeks ago

    So pervert air pods

  • source
  • [–] 32 points 2 weeks ago (2 children)

    Tech is so fucking cooked. They are clearly out of ideas and grasping at straws. This is the dumbest thing I've heard... So far.

  • source
  • hideshow 4 child comments
  • [–] 4 points 2 weeks ago

    I bet you every latest iPhone carrier individual thinks that this is the coolest thing on the planet

    It's joever, pack up

    If you care about privacy move to a country that actually allows pro-human laws to pass instead of pro-capital

  • source
  • parent
  • [–] 28 points 2 weeks ago

    Enters a Mexican restaurant. ICE arrives minutes after.

  • source
  • [–] 23 points 2 weeks ago (1 child)

    I’m already kicking myself for buying into them in the first place. Fuck cameras, I’m going back to wired headphones. My $20 IEMs sound better than my AirPod pros, without all the fancy over processing.

  • source
  • hideshow 2 child comments
  • [–] 21 points 2 weeks ago

    In addition to privacy concerns, why is it that every time battery capacity is improved, they find a new way to drain it? They don't even last a full day

  • source
  • [–] 17 points 2 weeks ago

    Why the fuck

  • source
  • [–] 13 points 2 weeks ago

    Sounds like a camera to me.

  • source
  • [–] 13 points 2 weeks ago

    At this point, it seems like the only way out of this situation is the weaponization of EMPs. I’m not supporting that, I’d personally prefer if medical technology and refrigerators and similar things still worked, but if people don’t like cameras everywhere (and we can now very clearly see that they don’t) and companies insist on putting cameras into all types of technologies where they’re not always visible, where else could this lead?

  • source
  • [–] 12 points 2 weeks ago

    "Hey siri what is on my foot" "hey siri" "hey siri" "hey siri what is on my foot"

  • source
  • [–] 11 points 2 weeks ago (1 child)

    That’s a quick way to get a cauliflower ear.

  • source
  • hideshow 1 child comment
  • load more comments (1 reply)
    [–] 9 points 2 weeks ago (1 child)

    Sounds like they come with Visual Idiocy.

    You can tell by seeing someone with them that they're a fucking idiot.

  • source
  • hideshow 2 child comments
  • [–] 8 points 2 weeks ago (1 child)

    any marketing garbage is a leak these days...

  • source
  • hideshow 1 child comment
  • load more comments (1 reply)
    [–] 8 points 2 weeks ago

    I guess they're out of ideas. When the original idea was to listen to shit in your ear.

  • source
  • [–] 5 points 2 weeks ago

    So either private changing stalls in every locker room, or we go the starship troopers route where they have mixed showers and no one cares.

  • source
  • load more comments
    view more: next ›