Apple is reportedly gearing up for a slate of vision-based products that could redefine its foray into the wearable tech market, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. While the Apple Vision Pro has already made waves with its advanced visual intelligence, Apple’s strategy seems to be focused on expanding this technology to other products, including smart glasses and AirPods with cameras. These new devices, however, aren’t expected to hit the market until at least 2027.

The motivation behind these upcoming products lies in Apple’s desire to recover some of the massive investment it made in developing the Vision Pro. The company reportedly sees an opportunity to apply the Vision Pro’s visual intelligence—technology that allows devices to scan and interpret their surroundings—to more widely used consumer products.

The first of these products could be a pair of smart glasses, designed to be similar to Meta’s Ray-Ban collaboration. These wouldn’t be fully-fledged AR glasses, but would include built-in cameras, speakers, and microphones, much like Meta’s offering, which has gained considerable popularity. Meta’s glasses, priced as low as $299, have found a market by combining practicality with relatively simple features. Apple could be aiming for a similar balance, but it remains to be seen how it will differentiate its product.

Also in the works are AirPods with built-in cameras, a concept that has previously been reported. While this might sound like an odd pairing, especially when glasses seem like a more natural fit for outward-facing cameras, Apple is reportedly still experimenting with the form factor. These AirPods could offer some degree of visual intelligence, potentially capturing data for AI processing to assist with daily tasks. However, the practical appeal of such a device remains uncertain, as it’s difficult to see how cameras on a product like AirPods would be more useful than in smart glasses.

This vision-based technology is already making its way into other Apple products, with the iPhone 16 incorporating features like camera control via visual intelligence. The next logical step for Apple seems to be integrating this technology into wearable devices, expanding its ecosystem further. In doing so, the company hopes to avoid letting its multi-billion-dollar investment in the Vision Pro go to waste.

Apple Vision Pro

Gurman also notes that alongside these vision-focused wearables, Apple has additional products in development. A more affordable Vision Pro model, expected to launch as early as next year, is aimed at broadening the device’s appeal by offering a version with fewer high-end features, such as a slower chip and cheaper materials. The tech giant is also working on a second-generation Vision Pro, expected in 2026, which will likely come equipped with an upgraded chip and enhanced capabilities.

(via Bloomberg)

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