Apple is said to be preparing several different wearable products with artificial intelligence, with the new AirPods Pro 3 model with IR cameras expected to be the first. Here’s why AirPods make a lot of sense as Apple’s first wearable with artificial intelligence.
Apple has three AI products in development, with the new AirPods rumored to launch this year
While we’re still waiting for Apple’s improved AI-powered Siri, the company is said to have several wearable products in development that rely on new AI capabilities.
Last week Mark Gurman wrote about three AI products on Bloomberg:
- AirPods with cameras
- Apple glasses
- Pendant with built-in camera
Based on reports from Gurman, Ming-Chi Kuo, and other sources, the timeline for these products is: AirPods this year, Glasses next year, and a pendant TBD.
Rumors suggest that a new AirPods Pro 3 model will launch this year with just one key upgrade: built-in IR cameras.
These cameras are expected to be powered by visual intelligence features, including some “AI companion”-like features that will come with Apple Glasses later.
The more I think about it, the more AirPods seem like the perfect wearable AI to launch first.
Why AirPods Pro might be the best AI wearable to launch first
Wearables with artificial intelligence are a nascent market with examples of both success and failure. Meta’s AI glasses are a good example of the former, while the Humane AI pin was clearly the latter.
However, despite the success of the Meta, artificial intelligence glasses are still not a mainstream hit. This is the first product that can turn into something bigger.
Compare that to the AirPods and you start to see why Apple could benefit from the AirPods Pro being the first wearable artificial intelligence.
AirPods are very popular. It’s hard to walk out into public spaces without seeing something. This is because users are very comfortable with the idea of wearing wireless headphones in social situations.
There is nothing unusual about wearing AirPods in modern society. And Apple doesn’t need to sell AirPods to anyone, with cameras being a great product.
Why? Because AirPods are already an impressive product category without AI features. The new model doesn’t need to justify its existence as a category the way smart glasses with artificial intelligence do.
Instead, Apple can sell higher-end AirPods that still do all the typical AirPods stuff — while adding value with built-in cameras.
It’s a form factor that everyone is used to. And after Apple collects enough data on how people use its new AI-powered AirPods, those findings should help inform and improve the development of Apple’s glasses.
AirPods with cameras may not be as flashy as a whole new category of products like glasses. However, they can help users begin to find value in an all-day AI companion and thus begin to emphasize more AI wearables in the future.
Interested in buying AirPods with built-in IR cameras? Let us know in the comments.
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