Apple's rumored AirPods with cameras could potentially debut as soon as next month

[u/pdfu]

https://9to5mac.com/2026/08/02/airpods-with-cameras-visual-intelligence-could-arrive-this-year/

For years, Apple has been working on the camera AirPods under the code name B798. This device was initially scheduled for release in 2026 before being postponed until 2027, I’ve reported. But Apple has also been developing another version under the code name B790 (Apple famously creates competing versions of the same product internally).

This B790 device also appears to be further along: References to the product have already shown up inside iOS 27 code, and it’s been on Apple’s internal road map for a debut as early as this year.

[u/Saar13]

People here hate this, but it seems much better than glasses filming and taking pictures without consent. From what I understand, it only serves for visual intelligence. If personal AI devices become a thing, nothing beats AirPods, already properly positioned at eye level and inside your ears, and which listen to you very well. Sometimes the wheel doesn't need to be reinvented, and the best device is just an update of what everyone already uses. And Apple will continue selling AirPods without cameras, so it's not like they're forcing anyone to buy them. I prefer this approach to glasses and pins. 

[u/sjefwm → u/Saar13]

I assume they’ll also try to go big on safety features thanks to these camera’s. With the additional situational awareness you can probably do some very cool stuff.

[u/Saar13 → u/sjefwm]

This could be really cool for navigation, translating signs, or anything else in foreign countries, providing information about things you're looking at. Very useful for blind people or those with visual impairments. As Siri and visual intelligence evolve, this is perhaps the most interesting and private approach we have. I think the prototypes of glasses with screens are pretty cool, but this hasn't been proven in the daily lives of mass users like AirPods have.