Apple’s Ambitious Plans for AI-Driven Wearables Unveiled

Apple accelerates development of AI-based wearables, including smart glasses and AirPods.

Apple is accelerating the development of three new wearable devices as part of its shift towards AI-based hardware. This is reported by Mark Gurman of Bloomberg, citing sources.

According to the journalist, the company has intensified work on smart glasses, a pendant, and AirPods with enhanced AI capabilities. All three gadgets are built around the digital assistant Siri, which will learn to use visual context to perform tasks. The devices will be equipped with cameras and integrated with the iPhone.

Smart Glasses

The smart glasses (code-named N50) will be the most advanced product in the lineup. In recent months, the company has made progress by distributing an expanded batch of prototypes within the engineering division.

Production is expected to start in December, with a market release in 2027. 

The glasses will not feature a display. The interface will rely on speakers, microphones, and cameras. Users will be able to make calls, interact with Siri, perform actions based on their surroundings, listen to music, and take photos.

Apple aims to stand out in two areas: build quality and imaging technology. The construction uses premium materials like acrylic elements, creating the feel of a high-end gadget.

The glasses will be equipped with two cameras. The first is high-resolution for photography, and the second is for computer vision. This sensor is needed to understand the environment: it will allow the device to more accurately interpret space and measure distances between objects.

Apple’s goal is to create an AI companion capable of understanding what the user sees in real-time. For example, a person could look at an object and ask for information about it.

More advanced scenarios, such as recognizing printed text, are being explored.

Pendant and AirPods

As an alternative to glasses, Apple is preparing a pendant and headphones. The first gadget is proposed as an accessory for the iPhone, rather than a standalone product. It will serve as an always-on camera for the smartphone and also have a microphone for interacting with Siri.

The company is developing two main ways to wear the pendant: clipped to clothing or as a necklace.

The project is in its early stages and may be canceled. If development continues, the device will appear next year.

The release of AirPods is planned for 2026. The company is gradually adding AI features to the device, including real-time translation.

In the more distant future, Apple plans to create smart glasses with an augmented reality display.

Betting on AI

Despite steady iPhone sales, Apple is striving to catch up with competitors in the field of artificial intelligence. Updating Siri has become one of its key challenges: improvements to the voice assistant have been postponed several times.

At a staff meeting earlier this month, the corporation’s CEO Tim Cook announced plans to develop AI devices.

It is expected that in the future, artificial intelligence will change the traditional format of smartphone use — more functions will shift to peripheral gadgets. Meta’s glasses have already gained popularity, and OpenAI is working on its own line of devices.

Apple is trying to find its place in this new field. Its recent release of the expensive Vision Pro headset did not receive a wide response from consumers. Now the company is hoping for a breakthrough through accelerated development of wearable devices, aiming to keep users within its ecosystem.

The “Cupertino team” is also developing a range of AI products for the home.

In September 2025, Apple held its annual presentation, where it introduced new iPhones and AirPods with AI features, as well as the Apple Watch.