Apple is reportedly developing three new wearable devices based on a recent report by Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. These innovations include smart glasses, AirPods equipped with cameras and advanced AI capabilities, and a pendant that can be pinned to a shirt or worn as a necklace.
All three devices are designed to utilize the Siri digital assistant, which will leverage visual context to execute tasks. Each device will be paired with an iPhone and feature cameras; however, the AirPods and pendant will be equipped with lower-resolution cameras intended solely for AI functionality, rather than image capture.
In contrast, the smart glasses will be more premium and feature-rich, boasting higher-quality cameras. Apple CEO Tim Cook recently mentioned during an internal meeting that the company is investing in new AI-enabled product categories, stating that "the world is changing fast."
Before venturing into entirely new product categories, some critics suggest Apple should finalize the rollout of the much-anticipated smarter, AI-powered Siri. The question remains regarding the effectiveness of these new wearable devices, particularly given the uncertainties surrounding Siri's capabilities, even with assistance from Google's technology.
The pendant concept had been previously attempted by Humane, resulting in poor reception. A lingering question is why one wouldn’t simply use a smartphone or smartwatch. Apple's pendant will function as an accessory for iPhones rather than a standalone device, akin to the Humane AI Pin, serving primarily as a continuous camera for the iPhone, which also includes a microphone for interacting with Siri.
Reports suggest Apple employees describe the pendant as the "eyes and ears" of the iPhone, a description that may raise concerns. Additionally, the pendant is expected to have computational power closer to that of AirPods rather than an Apple Watch, leading to further skepticism regarding its necessity. However, it is anticipated to launch next year, barring any cancellations.
Apple's smart glasses are also set to debut next year, although they will not feature a display. Instead, they will be equipped with speakers, microphones, and cameras. Apple aims to distinguish these glasses from Meta's Ray-Bans by providing superior camera quality and build, with frames developed internally in a variety of sizes and colors.
Featuring two cameras—one for high-resolution imagery and another dedicated to computer vision—these glasses will leverage technology similar to that found in the Vision Pro. The computer vision capability will provide environmental context, enabling more accurate interpretation of surroundings and distance measurement between objects.
The intended functionality for these glasses seems to be serving as an all-day AI companion, allowing users to visually interact with their environment in real time (limited by battery life). Users could, for instance, identify objects or receive reminders based on their surroundings, enhancing their daily tasks.
For navigation purposes, Siri will reference real-world landmarks, guiding users by describing identifiable vehicles or buildings before directing them to turn. However, this functionality is only marginally more convenient than using a smartphone, indicating that Apple needs to seriously refine the glasses' design to ensure their success.
These products appear to be solutions seeking a problem to solve, suggesting that Apple may be in a rush to identify the next significant innovation following the lukewarm reception of the Vision Pro.
