Apple is considering integrating a camera into its future Apple Watches to enhance its artificial intelligence-powered visual intelligence features, according to a report published by Bloomberg.
The move marks Apple's shift toward AI-driven wearables, with the company looking to move away from third-party models like ChatGPT and Google Search to its own.
The report states that Apple plans to launch its camera-equipped watches by 2027, representing a significant expansion of the company's capabilities beyond smartphones. Thanks to visual intelligence, which was first introduced in the iPhone 16 series, Apple Watches could interact with the real world and perform tasks such as scanning objects, recognizing text, and providing contextual information, such as restaurant details.
It's important to note that Apple's ambitions aren't limited to just its watches, but it's also considering adding cameras to its AirPods earbuds to further integrate visual intelligence into its wearable ecosystem.
Regarding the camera's location, this varies depending on the watch model. In the standard Apple Watch, the camera could be integrated into the watch's display itself, either through a small dedicated opening or hidden beneath the screen. For the more robust "Ultra" models, the camera could be placed on the side, next to the Digital Crown and the power button, allowing users to direct their wrist to take photos easily.
Currently, Apple's vision intelligence relies on external artificial intelligence models, but this is expected to change with the launch of these new devices. It's possible that Mike Rockwell, who led the development of the Vision Pro glasses and the Siri update, will take over this project, while continuing his responsibilities on the development of the VisionOS system. New Siri features could also appear with the new devices.
The Apple Watch with a camera is unlikely to be available before 2027, as the company is lagging behind other companies in the field of artificial intelligence. This makes sense given Apple's AI development timeline, especially since the company has recently undergone leadership changes.
This move could mark the beginning of Apple's competition in the field of wearable devices powered by artificial intelligence, taking on Meta, which has already launched smart glasses with AI features. Apple could experience a major technological transformation if it succeeds in developing its own artificial intelligence.
