Apple has dropped its plans for an Apple Watch equipped with a camera, reports Bloomberg. Apple had reportedly been developing both Apple Watch and Apple Watch Ultra models that would use a built-in camera to view the wearer’s surroundings.
The Apple Watch’s camera would not have been used to tke photos or to make FaceTime calls, but would have instead allow the wearer to use Visual Intelligence to get information about their surroundings, like objects and places near them. The camera functionality could provide hours and menus when pointed at a restaurant, identify plants and objects, and even offer language translations.
Most reports had indicated Apple planned to release the camera-equipped Apple Watch in 2027, but those plans have been cancelled. Apple could change their mind in the future, and the reasons for the cancellation of the project have not been specified.
Apple is still believed to be developing AirPods with tiny cameras inside.
In June 2024, Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said Apple planned to sell new AirPods with infrared cameras by 2026. He indicated that the infrared camera component would be similar to the iPhone’s Face ID receiver and would provide an enhanced spatial audio experience with Apple’s Vision Pro headset.
“For example, when a user is watching a video with Vision Pro and wearing this new AirPods, if users turn their heads to look in a specific direction, the sound source in that direction can be emphasized to enhance the spatial audio/computing experience,” wrote Kuo.
In March of this year, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman said Apple is still exploring the use of tiny cameras in future AirPods models, and that the cameras would likely make an appearance as infrared sensors. Gurman has suggested that Apple is mulling over cameras that would “feed data to AI.”
