Apple's AirPods are getting eyes

TDT | Manama

Email: mail@newsofbahrain.com

Apple appears to be preparing a major change to its AirPods, with a leaked video revealing earbuds equipped with tiny cameras that could allow Siri to "see" the world around the wearer.

The video, discovered inside the macOS Tahoe 26.7 release candidate, shows a user wearing what appears to be the new AirPods while looking at a book. Apple's Visual Intelligence feature is demonstrated using the earbuds, allowing the user to interact with information in their surroundings through Siri.

The cameras are reportedly not designed for taking conventional photos or videos. Instead, they would capture visual information and send it to Apple's AI systems, potentially allowing Siri to identify objects, recognise text, answer questions about surroundings and provide contextual assistance.

The new AirPods are expected to resemble the current AirPods Pro design, although the stems appear slightly thicker to accommodate the cameras. Earlier reports have also suggested that indicator lights could alert people when the cameras are active.

Apple has not officially announced the product or confirmed a launch date. Reports suggest a possible unveiling alongside the next iPhone generation, although the timing remains uncertain.

If released, the camera-equipped AirPods could represent Apple's first major step into AI-powered wearable devices, bringing visual AI closer to everyday life — and raising new questions about privacy.