Apple Smart Glasses and AirPods with Cameras Expected by 2027

Apple’s highly anticipated smart glasses, referred to as Apple Glass, are reportedly still in development with a potential launch date set for 2027. These glasses are expected to be released alongside AirPods equipped with cameras, according to a report from Bloomberg.

The Apple Vision Pro, while innovative, is not Apple’s final goal for head-mounted displays or spatial computing. Although discussions about smart glasses have been ongoing for some time, it now seems that Apple is planning to release them within the next few years. The Vision Project Group, responsible for developing Apple’s headset products, is reportedly targeting 2027 for the launch of the smart glasses.

Rumors have long suggested that Apple has been working on Apple Glass, but technological challenges have delayed its release. Speculation has persisted, but consumers may have to wait a while longer before the glasses hit the market. Similar in concept to Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses, Apple’s version is expected to integrate advanced visual intelligence features.

In addition to the smart glasses, Apple is also rumored to be developing AirPods equipped with cameras. These cameras, potentially including infrared (IR) capabilities, may be designed to enhance spatial audio by detecting the surrounding environment.

The development and eventual release of both the smart glasses and the camera-equipped AirPods could help Apple capitalize on its significant investment in visual intelligence technology, much of which is already seen in the Apple Vision Pro. This technology, which includes environment scanning and data collection, could be expanded across Apple’s product lineup to enhance user experiences. Some of the technological advancements for Apple Glass may have been derived from Apple’s long-running Apple Car project, which focused on object detection for self-driving capabilities.

The integration of this technology is expected to extend beyond just headsets, with visual intelligence features potentially being incorporated into other products within Apple’s ecosystem, such as the iPhone, through Apple Intelligence.