Apple is expanding its AI ecosystem by developing wearable devices including smart glasses, a pendant for those who do not want to wear glasses, and AirPods.
Apple is reportedly in the process of developing three AI devices, which include smart glasses, a pendant, and AirPods, aimed at expanding its AI ecosystem beyond the iPhone. These wearables are designed to integrate with Apple's voice assistant, Siri, and utilize cameras to gather external information, thereby enhancing the AI capabilities that have been identified as one of Apple's weaknesses compared to competitors. Apple CEO Tim Cook highlighted the potential of AI during an all-staff meeting, framing it as an opportunity for new products and services.
The smart glasses are positioned as a direct competitor to products from Meta, with a market launch anticipated by 2027. By opting for glasses instead of the more expensive Vision Pro headset, which approaches $5000, Apple aims to improve accessibility for consumers. These glasses would be equipped with cameras that interpret the user's environment, allowing for interaction via Siri for information retrieval or music playback.
In addition to smart glasses, Apple is also investing research into creating AI-enabled pendants and improving AirPods, focusing on the integration of camera and microphone technology to recognize surroundings and user commands without needing to hold an iPhone. This signifies Apple's push into wearables that offer more versatile AI interactions, although the pendant product is associated with a startup founded by former Apple employees, which may present challenges in development and market positioning.
