The report in January that Apple is planning an AirTag-like wearable AI pendant came from a credible source, but also out of left field. Now the report been corroborated by a noted Apple watcher.
In a wider update about Apple’s wearable ambitions, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman has an update about the in-development, which he says Apple employees are calling that “eyes and ears” of the iPhone.
There’s no display or a projector, unlike the failed Humane AI pin and it’ll rely on the iPhone for all of the heavy lifting. So the report from The Information that it’s effectively an AirTag-like with additional cameras and a mic appears to be on the money.
According to this latest report, it’d be worn around the neck on a necklace and may have a speaker so users could conduct phone conversations without consulting having to grab the iPhone – sort of like AirPods do now.
“The pendant would essentially serve as an always-on camera for the smartphone that also includes a microphone for Siri input. Some Apple employees call it the “eyes and ears” of the phone,” Gurman’s report on Tuesday says.
“One area of debate for the product has been whether or not to include a speaker, which would allow users to hold back-and-forth conversations with the device directly. That means they could leave their iPhone in their pocket or bag or not wear AirPods.”
Gurman says the product is still in the early stage and could yet be cancelled. If Apple decides this un-Apple-like product is a goer then it might arrive as soon as next year, alongside Apple’s first smart glasses. Gurman’s report also says Apple is progressing well on its efforts to place cameras inside of AirPods.
