According to an Apple analyst, the iPhone maker is going to release AirPods in 2026 with built-in cameras.
Apple is Working on AirPods Model with Built-in Infrared Cameras, Likely for Vision Headset
Before you get too excited, these are infrared cameras and not the ones you use to shoot photos or videos. The infrared camera being mentioned in this report is designed to read the environment around the user and deliver a spatial computing experience based on that.
With that out of the way, this revelation was made by Ming-Chi Kuo in a post over at Medium.
It is believed that these infrared cameras in AirPods are designed to enhance the spatial computing experience on Apple’s Vision (Pro), allowing the headset to deliver experiences which isn’t possible with what is being shipped currently.
Reportedly, Foxconn is going to supply these infrared cameras for AirPods. But, there’s one thing where the report falls short- which model of AirPods will have these sensors? If I’m to take a wild guess, most likely AirPods Pro. But, at the same time, it has me thinking whether these are going to be one-off, special AirPods designed specifically for the Vision headset. If they are, it’s a rather strange move by Apple.
We have been hearing reports about Apple working on a cheaper Vision headset that will require a tethered iPhone or Mac to work. Given this news about infrared cameras in AirPods, it seems as though the puzzle might be falling into place. Rather than have several cameras built-in, Apple can use the brainpower of the iPhone or Mac, and read the environment around the user with AirPods with infrared.
There’s a chance I’m completely wrong about this and it’s just a hunch. But, let’s assume for a second that I’m right. Does that mean we have to piece together the cheaper Vision headset before actually making it useful?
