• New AirPods may feature built-in infrared cameras for enhanced spatial audio.
• Gesture controls could be enabled through the camera-equipped AirPods.
• Apple Watch Series 10 might include blood pressure monitoring capabilities.
• Wearables are becoming a significant focus for Apple’s future innovations.

Apple’s never been one to rest on its laurels, and if the latest rumors are to be believed, the tech giant is bringing cameras to the… AirPods?

Let’s dive into more detail.

Smile, Your AirPods Are Watching

According to noted Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the company is working on a new version of AirPods — this time, with built-in camera modules. 

Now, before you start worrying about tiny spy cameras dangling from your ears, these aren’t your average snappers.

The cameras in question are reportedly infrared, similar to what is used in Face ID on iPhones and iPads.

Needless to say, one wouldn’t take selfies with them but enhance the spatial audio and delve deeper in spatial computing.

Think about it: you’re running with your Apple Vision Pro headset on, and when you move your head, the sound adapts perfectly because your AirPods are camera-enabled.

It’s all about creating a more immersive, realistic experience. And that’s not all – there’s talk of these AirPods enabling gesture controls, letting you interact with your devices with a wave of your hand.

Now, don’t go lining up at the Apple Store just yet; Kuo says we’re looking at mass production kicking off in 2026.

That’s a ways off, but it gives us plenty of time to speculate wildly about what else these high-tech earbuds might do.

Foxconn’s role in production

Foxconn, a trusted Apple supplier, is set to provide the cameras for the new AirPods.

With an estimated production of around 10 million units per year, this partnership underscores Apple’s commitment to delivering high-quality, innovative products to consumers.

“Foxconn is the new product introduction (NPI) supplier for the IR camera, with an annual capacity plan of 18–20 million units, or about 10 million AirPods. Actual demand and orders will depend on market conditions,” Kuo wrote.

Apple’s unwavering commitment to innovation continues to propel its products forward.

The potential of these camera-equipped AirPods to set new standards in the industry is a testament to Apple’s vision and dedication to pushing the boundaries of technology.

Apple Watch: Your Wrist’s New Health Guru

While we are at it in the Apple wearables department, an Apple Watch—the Series 10, in particular—could boast a feature that’s long been a holy grail for health-conscious people: blood pressure monitoring.

This is according to another stalwart Apple leaker, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, who broke the news a while back.

Now, let me explain, we are not talking about a full-blooded medical device, per se – not just yet. 

The first iteration of it probably will be more in terms of tracking the changes in blood pressure over time rather than displaying absolute readings.

But here’s the thing: this could be just the beginning. Apple’s known for playing the long game, and it’s not hard to imagine future iterations of the Watch becoming more and more sophisticated in their health monitoring capabilities.

What It All Means

So, what are we supposed to make of this information? For one thing, obviously, wearables will be a huge part of Apple’s future. 

Consider the fact that, from AirPods doing much more than piping tunes into your ears to Apple Watches constantly watching over your health, it’s devices that blend technology and life.

One also notes the possible implications of privacy and data harvesting. As these devices become more fine-tuned and collect more data on us, questions of the security of data and the privacy related to information will come to the fore.

For now, though, we’ll have to wait and see how these rumored features pan out. Will camera-equipped AirPods revolutionize how we interact with our devices?.

One thing’s for sure – the future of wearable tech is looking mighty interesting.

FAQs

Q1: What new feature is expected in the next version of AirPods?

A1: The new AirPods are rumored to include built-in infrared cameras to enhance spatial audio and enable gesture controls.

Q2: How will the cameras in the AirPods be used?

A2: The cameras will likely enhance spatial audio experiences and potentially allow for gesture-based controls.

Q3: When are the new camera-equipped AirPods expected to be released?

A3: Mass production of the new AirPods is expected to begin in 2026.

Q4: What health feature might the Apple Watch Series 10 include?

A4: The Apple Watch Series 10 may feature blood pressure monitoring, focusing on tracking changes over time.

Q5: Why is Apple focusing on wearables?

A5: Apple is aiming to integrate technology more seamlessly into everyday life, blending advanced tech with health and lifestyle benefits.

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