- Apple is considering adding cameras to smart rings, smart glasses, and AirPods.
- Apple has previously applied for patents related to smart glasses and rings.
- Smart rings could offer customers an inexpensive way to track their health and fitness data.
A new report claims that Apple is considering some new ideas for future wearables, along with ways to further advance its existing AirPods.
The company is in talks to develop a smart ring, but is not actively working on a product, Bloomberg reported. The company is also developing smart glasses that could offer AI benefits, and is considering whether AirPods should include smaller cameras, the report said.
For those keeping an eye on Apple’s potential product pipeline, there’s public evidence that the company is at least mulling over what its approach to rings and glasses might look like. Apple has issued numerous patents for smart glasses and smart rings dating back at least a decade.
Apple’s previously patented ring design shows an illustration of the ring resembling a miniature Apple Watch, with a touch screen, computer processor, wireless transceiver, and rechargeable power source, BI previously reported. reported.
Of course, filing a patent doesn’t mean the company will manufacture the device.
According to the report, Apple was also in early discussions about developing smart glasses that could replace AirPods.
According to a Bloomberg report published on Sunday, Apple’s smart glasses idea is currently in an “exploratory stage” known as “technical investigation” by the company’s hardware engineers.
If the company moves forward with either idea, it will likely face some competition.
Mark Zuckerberg recently said that Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses are selling better than expected thanks to their AI capabilities. Meta’s glasses can record and live stream video, interact with the company’s AI agents, and play music.
Meanwhile, Apple is also looking at ways to further innovate AirPods, one of its most popular wearables.
According to Bloomberg, the company is testing a project codenamed “B798” to embed a low-resolution camera into earbuds that are about the same size as the current AirPods. In theory, AI could use camera footage to help people track their daily activities and optimize their daily lives, the report said.
Apple did not immediately respond to Business Insider’s request for comment on Sunday ahead of publication.
And while a smart ring is not currently in development, some Apple employees remain interested in the idea as a budget-friendly way for people who don’t wear an Apple Watch to track their health and fitness. It appears they have, the report says. Said.
The Smart Ring is also a competitor to Oura and newcomer Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy Smart Ring, which is expected to launch later this year and is designed to track health metrics. The company teased the ring with a flashy video presentation last month, but information about what it can do is still lacking.
