Apple is working on a new pair of AirPods for 2026. For the first time, these headphones would be equipped with a camera. Thanks to this, the AirPods would enrich the Vision Pro audio experience. Furthermore, it would allow you to interact with simple gestures.
Apple will continue to enrich and develop its range of AirPods in the years to come. According to information gleaned by analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the Cupertino giant is even planning to launch a pair of AirPods equipped with a camera. It would be an infrared camera similar to the one included in the iPhone’s Face ID module.
This is not the first time that a leak has predicted the arrival of wireless headphones equipped with cameras. In February, Mark Gurman, journalist at Bloomberg, had already mentioned the launch of the first AirPods with an integrated camera. The journalist, very well informed about Apple’s plans, indicated that the accessory should rely on AI to “identify objects in the surrounding world”like Meta’s smart glasses.
Also read: Apple would soon launch a new AirPods Max headset, but you will be disappointed
AirPods to accompany the Vision Pro
For Ming-Chi Kuo, AirPods with camera would be mainly intended for work in synergy with the Vision Pro, Apple’s spatial computer. The headphones would be used to “improving the user experience of spatial audio and strengthening the spatial computing ecosystem”. The camera incorporated into the earbuds will help Apple optimize the audio experience when using the mixed reality headset.
Concretely, the AirPods camera will be able to determine whether “users turn their heads to look in a specific direction” when watching a video. In response, “the sound source in this direction can be emphasized”which should increase immersion in video or in a virtual or augmented reality environment.
Furthermore, the infrared camera system would be capable of detecting “changes in the environment” of the wearer. De facto, the AirPods will be able “improve human-device interaction” by interpreting the gestures made by the user’s hands and arms. Again, we imagine that this system would work in tandem with Apple’s headset, which already has a gesture control feature. However, this control system could allow all AirPods users to interact in a whole new way with their headphones, and by extension, with their iPhone.
After investigating within “the supply chain” Kuo estimates that Apple plans to produce the new AirPods by 2026. The Californian manufacturer reportedly intends to entrust the production of 18 to 20 million infrared cameras to Foxconn, one of its main subcontractors. Dix millions d’AirPods with camera should be assembled that year.
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Source :
Medium
