Apple's next hardware push centers on three wearable devices that function as iPhone extensions rather than standalone products. Smart glasses, camera-equipped AirPods, and an AI pendant will serve as visual assistants powered by a revamped Siri, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.
The smart glasses challenge Meta's Ray-Bans with two cameras: one for high-resolution photos and another for computer vision similar to Vision Pro technology. Unlike Meta's partnership approach, Apple develops its own frames in multiple sizes and colors with production potentially starting in December ahead of a 2027 release.
These glasses lack traditional displays but include speakers and microphones for Siri interaction. They interpret surroundings to identify objects, read text aloud, and provide navigation using real-world landmarks instead of abstract directions.
The AI pendant takes a fundamentally different approach from failed products like the Humane AI Pin by positioning itself strictly as an iPhone accessory. Similar in size to an AirTag but with computing power closer to AirPods, it features an always-on camera and microphone for continuous environmental recording.
Some Apple employees call it the 'eyes and ears' of the iPhone, according to reports.
Debates continue about including a speaker for two-way conversations without requiring AirPods or pulling out an iPhone.
Camera-equipped AirPods represent perhaps the most unusual development, with infrared cameras designed not for photography but for understanding user surroundings. These enable gesture controls and improved spatial awareness while maintaining Apple's audio leadership position.
All three devices connect wirelessly to iPhones for processing power rather than relying on onboard AI chipsets. This keeps costs down while ensuring smooth integration with Apple's ecosystem at a time when CEO Tim Cook faces pressure to demonstrate meaningful AI progress beyond software features.
The wearable push follows Meta's reported sale of seven million smart glasses in 2025, triple its 2024 figures according to EssilorLuxottica's CEO on an earnings call. While respectable for early adoption, Apple typically targets mass-market scale having sold over 200 million iPhones last year alone.
Apple plans to make its upcoming Siri overhaul central to these devices' operation when it launches at WWDC 2026 in June. The company has reportedly tapped Google's Gemini model as the backbone for this relaunched assistant, which would function as both voice assistant and text-based chatbot.
