AirPods as Apple’s first wearable product make a lot of sense

Apple reportedly has more AI wearable products in the works, with the new AirPods Pro 3 model with IR cameras expected to be the first. That’s why AirPods as Apple’s first AI wearable makes a lot of sense.

Apple has three AI products in development, with the new AirPods rumored to launch this year

While we’re still waiting for Apple’s revamped AI-powered Siri, the company is rumored to have several wearable products in development that rely on new AI capabilities.

Last week, Mark Gurman wrote about three AI products on Bloomberg:

• AirPods have cameras
• Apple glasses
• A pendant with a built-in camera

Based on reports from Gurman and Ming-Chi Kuo and other sources, the timeline for these products is: AirPods this year, Glasses next year, and a Pendant TBD.

Rumors indicate that a new AirPods Pro 3 model will be launched this year with one key upgrade: built-in IR cameras.

These cameras are expected to enable artificial intelligence features, including some ‘AI companion’-type capabilities coming later on Apple Glass.

The more I thought about it, the more AirPods seemed like the perfect wearable AI to begin with.

Why AirPods Pro could be the best AI wearable to begin with

AI wearables are an emerging market, with examples already of both success and failure. The Meta AI glasses are a good example of the former, while the Humane AI pin was clearly the latter.

Despite Meta’s success, AI glasses are still not mainstream. They are an early adopter product that can turn into something big.

Compare that to the AirPods, and you start to see why Apple might benefit from making the AirPods Pro its first AI wearable.

AirPods are very popular. It is difficult to leave public places without seeing something. That’s because users are more comfortable with the idea of ​​wearing wireless earbuds in public settings.

There is nothing unusual in today’s society about wearing AirPods. And Apple doesn’t need to sell anyone on AirPods cameras being a good product.

Why? Because AirPods are already a compelling product category without AI features. The new model doesn’t need to justify its existence as a category the way AI smart glasses do.

Instead, Apple could sell higher-end AirPods that still do all the usual AirPods stuff—while adding value with built-in cameras.

It is a method that everyone is familiar with. And after Apple collects enough data on how people use its new AirPods with AI, those findings should help inform and improve the development of Apple’s glasses.

AirPods with cameras may not be as exciting as the new product category like glasses. But they can help users start to find value in an all-day AI companion, thereby starting to make the case for more AI wearables in the future.

Are you interested in buying AirPods with built-in IR cameras? Let us know in the comments.

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