The AI-powered Humane Pin may be dead, but that’s not stopping major tech companies, including OpenAI and Motorola, from developing their own versions of the device. Now, it appears Apple could be a major player in the AI-powered wearable pin race.
Apple is actively developing a wearable AI pin the size of an AirTag, according to an insider report published by The Information. Similar to other smart pin concepts, it will feature a built-in microphone, speaker, and multiple cameras, with support for wireless charging; it could also hit the market as soon as next year.
Here’s everything you need to know about Apple’s AI-powered smart pin.
Apple AI pin: Possible launch date and price
While there’s no guarantee that the Apple AI pin will ever see the light of day, the report suggests that it could launch as soon as next year.
Price-wise, I suspect it will cost less than an Apple Watch (which starts at $249 for the SE 3). Then again, the Humane Pin launched with a hefty price tag of $699. Here’s hoping Apple’s version is closer to a quarter of that.
There’s also a good chance that if/when the Apple AI pin does debut, it might be bundled with the latest Apple Watch or iPhone.
Apple AI pin: Design and features
Apple’s AI pin will be similar in size to an AirTag, but possibly a little thicker. It will also feature a similar design: a flat disk made out of aluminum and possibly glass.
Tech-wise, the Apple AI pin is rumored to have two cameras — a wide-angle and a standard lens — three microphones, a small speaker near the edge, and a single physical button.
The cameras and mics will likely actively capture the environment around a user and translate that data into useful insights. One of those mics will likely be designed to pick up the user’s voice, while the others might be for recording ambient sound.
Apple’s AI pin will also likely support both voice and gesture controls, similar to the current Apple Watch lineup, and is rumored to feature magnetic inductive charging (also like the best Apple Watch models). No word yet on battery life.
Apple AI pin: Outlook
It’s best to take all of the above with a grain of salt. This is far from the first ‘Apple is developing a new wearable’ rumor I’ve reported on — I’m looking at you, Apple Ring — and it certainly won’t be the last.
That said, with OpenAI rumored to be dropping a similar AI-powered pin in the near future, with a rumored 20 million units being prepped for launch, it makes sense for Apple to be ready with a competing product.
Ultimately, the biggest thing holding back an Apple AI-powered pin, in my mind, is the lack of an AI-powered Siri experience. We know a Gemini-backed Siri overhaul is in the works. The question is, will it be ready as soon as next year?
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