There are rumors that Apple is working on new AirPods with infrared cameras. This news comes from Apple experts Ming-Chi Kuo and Mark Gurman.
The goal is to improve spatial audio and possibly make the AirPods work better with the Vision Pro headset.
Infrared Camera Features
Apple’s rumored AirPods with built-in infrared cameras, similar to those used in Face ID, offer exciting possibilities. These cameras can track your head movements and surroundings.
Imagine turning your head while wearing AirPods and a Vision Pro headset – the sound can adjust to match your head position, creating a more realistic audio experience.
Gesture controls might also be on the table, thanks to the IR cameras, potentially making interactions within Apple’s AR/VR environments even smoother.
Gesture Control Enhancements
Apple’s rumored AirPods with built-in IR cameras could be a game-changer for how we interact with our devices.
These cameras might track changes in your surroundings, allowing you to control things with gestures in the air.
This aligns perfectly with Apple’s push for better gesture recognition, especially considering there’s room for improvement with the Vision Pro headset. By adding gesture controls to AirPods, Apple aims to create a smoother and more intuitive way to interact across their entire range of devices.
Production Timeline and Supplier
Apple’s rumored AirPods with infrared cameras are expected to hit the assembly line in 2026. Foxconn, a Taiwanese electronics giant, is gearing up to be the main supplier for these special camera parts.
They’re aiming to produce enough parts for around 10 million AirPods initially, with the capacity to crank out 18-20 million units every year.
This launch timeframe aligns with rumors of a more affordable Vision Pro model also expected in 2026, suggesting a possible strategic release of these complementary spatial computing devices.
Impact on Spatial Computing
Imagine AirPods and the Vision Pro headset working together seamlessly. These gadgets could create mind-blowing audio experiences that feel real in virtual and augmented reality.
This fits perfectly with Apple’s plan to dominate the spatial computing market. It could even open doors for completely new apps and ways to interact with technology.
As this gets better, it might completely change how we experience digital content. The line between our real world and virtual spaces could blur in ways we can’t even imagine yet, going beyond just what we see and hear now.