Video Found in MacOS Shows Apple’s Rumored Camera-Equipped AirPods in Action

“With Visual Intelligence, your world becomes savable,” Siri says in the video as a man holds up a book. “See something you like? Just ask me to save it for later.”

MacRumors also reports that these AirPods will warn you if they are covered by your hair, for example.

“To get the most accurate information about things in your environment, make sure AirPods are not covered,” it says.

Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman reported on Aug. 2 that Apple could release the rumored camera-equipped AirPods later this year. That’s earlier than previous reports of a 2027 launch.

That prediction was based on code found in the iOS 27 beta releases, which are early test versions of the software, that reference a device called B790. This device is reportedly a version of another camera-equipped AirPods device code-named B798, and B790 is supposedly further along in development than its counterpart.

If Apple does release camera-equipped AirPods this year, a September launch would be the most likely scenario. The company has historically used its fall iPhone events to introduce major AirPods updates, including the AirPods 4 in 2024 and AirPods Pro updates in 2025. However, Apple has also announced audio products outside its September events, so a different launch window remains possible.

An Apple representative didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.

Bloomberg reported in June that camera-equipped AirPods are meant to be Apple’s first AI-focused wearable product. Rather than capturing photos or videos, the cameras would function as visual sensors, giving Siri more context about what’s happening around the user. The AirPod cameras would analyze images and provide you with context based on what they see.

There are still plenty of unanswered questions about the buds, including how much they will cost. The AirPods 4, Apple’s compact wireless earbuds, start at $129, while the AirPods Max, the company’s over-ear headphones, sell for $549. Depending on how much the camera hardware changes the AirPods design, a new camera-equipped model could end up costing as much as — or even more than — the AirPods Max.

Privacy is another question Apple will likely have to address. Wearable devices with built-in cameras, including Meta’s smart glasses, have drawn criticism over concerns that people could be photographed or recorded without their knowledge or consent. While camera-equipped AirPods would differ from smart glasses, they could face similar scrutiny because they also place cameras on a device that’s worn throughout the day. How Apple plans to address those privacy concerns remains unclear.

For more Apple news, here’s what to know about iOS 27 and everything announced at Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference in June.

Zachary McAuliffe

Senior writer

Zach began writing for CNET in November, 2021 after writing for a broadcast news station in his hometown, Cincinnati, for five years. You can usually find him hanging out with his wife, son and dog in their home. You can reach him at [email protected].

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