Next-gen Apple AirPods to feature infrared cameras

WEB DESK: Apple is gearing up to revolutionize its AirPods lineup with integrated camera modules, as detailed in a recent report by analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

Expected to commence mass production by 2026, these next-generation AirPods will feature infrared cameras akin to those employed in the Face ID systems of iPhones and iPads.

This development follows earlier indications from Bloomberg in February regarding Apple’s ambitions to incorporate cameras into AirPods.

According to Kuo, these new AirPods are poised to interface seamlessly with Apple’s Vision Pro and forthcoming Apple Vision headsets. The integration aims to elevate user interaction through enhanced spatial audio capabilities within a burgeoning spatial computing ecosystem.

For instance, while watching content on Vision Pro, wearing these AirPods would enable directional emphasis of audio corresponding to the user’s head movements, enriching the spatial audio/computing experience.

Moreover, the report highlights the potential for the AirPods’ IR cameras to detect changes in the environment, potentially facilitating gesture-based controls for more intuitive human-device interactions.

Kuo reveals that Foxconn has been selected as the “new product introduction (NPI) supplier” for the IR camera components, with an anticipated annual production capacity of 18-20 million units, translating to approximately 10 million pairs of AirPods.

Earlier this year, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman had hinted at Apple’s exploration of various wearable innovations, including not only AirPods with cameras but also smart glasses reminiscent of Meta Ray-Bans and even a smart ring, alongside future iterations of the Apple Watch.