Apple aims to make the iPhone irreplaceable with its wearables and Android needs to be ready
Source: Android Authority
TL;DR
- Apple is working on smart glasses, camera‑equipped AirPods, and an AI pendant.
- The company reportedly wants its smart glasses to stand out in terms of build quality and camera technology.
- The pendant is designed to be the “eyes and ears” of your iPhone.
Apple has been looking to break into new product categories, with a focus on AI. Reported projects include smart glasses, camera‑equipped AirPods, and an AI‑powered pendant. A recent Bloomberg report provides more detail on these devices.
According to Bloomberg, Apple is ramping up work on its smart glasses, AI pendant, and AirPods with expanded AI capabilities. All three products will be built around Siri, using visual context from onboard cameras to complete tasks. The AirPods and pendant are intended as simpler accessories that rely on the iPhone, while the smart glasses will be a more advanced, feature‑rich option.
Smart Glasses
The smart glasses will compete directly with the Ray‑Ban Meta glasses. They will not have a traditional display but will include cameras, speakers, microphones, and AI functionality. Apple is also reportedly planning a future version with an augmented display.
Codenamed N50, the device is said to have made “significant progress,” with a broader set of prototypes distributed within Apple’s hardware engineering division. A public release is tentatively slated for 2027.
When launched, the glasses are expected to:
- Make phone calls and access Siri
- Take actions based on surroundings
- Play music and capture photos
Potential advanced use cases include digitizing printed text from a poster and adding it to your calendar, or recognizing real‑world landmarks. Apple aims to differentiate its glasses by emphasizing build quality and camera technology.
Key hardware details:
- Premium materials such as acrylic for a high‑end feel
- Two cameras: one for high‑resolution imagery, another dedicated to computer vision and environmental context
- In‑house design (no third‑party partnership)
- Planned variety of colors, sizes, and designs over time
AI Pendant
Earlier reports suggested Apple could create an AI pin similar to Humane’s device. The resulting pendant is about the size of an AirTag, slightly thicker, and can be clipped to clothing or worn as a necklace. It is not a standalone device; instead, it serves as an accessory for the iPhone, dubbed the “eyes and ears” of the phone by Apple employees.
Features:
- Always‑on camera
- Microphone for Siri input
- Dedicated chip for AI processing
- No projector or screen (unlike Humane’s pin)
- Potential inclusion of a speaker (still under consideration)
AirPods
Since 2024, Apple has explored AirPods with built‑in cameras. The cameras are intended to aid Siri rather than capture selfies, so they will be low‑resolution. Bloomberg suggests these earbuds could launch as early as this year and may include additional AI‑powered abilities such as live translation.
Apple’s moves could influence competitors. For example, Samsung has reportedly been exploring cameras in future Galaxy Buds.
References
- Bloomberg: “Apple ramps up work on glasses, pendant and camera AirPods for AI era” – https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-02-17/apple-ramps-up-work-on-glasses-pendant-and-camera-airpods-for-ai-era
- Android Authority articles linked throughout the text.