● Covered by 4 sources · 15 reportsMedium impact1 negative13 neutral1 positive
Apple May Launch Camera-Equipped AirPods This Fall, Codenamed B790
Key points
- Apple may launch camera-equipped AirPods (B790) as early as next month.
- References to B790 are in iOS 27 code and internal roadmaps.
- A more advanced variant, B798, is anticipated in 2027.
- Cameras could enable visual intelligence features and vision assistance.
- Integration with AI-powered VoiceOver could benefit blind/low-vision users.
- A demo video of "Visual Intelligence" on camera-equipped AirPods was found in macOS Tahoe 26.7 Release Candidate.
- The demo video shows a man asking Siri to remember a book he is looking at.
- The AirPods in the video look similar to AirPods Pro, but with a thicker stem.
- MacRumors found references to B790 and "image stream" code in macOS 26.7 RC.
- The camera feeds low-resolution imagery to Siri.
- Siri's voiceover states: "With Visual Intelligence, your world becomes saveable. See something you like? Just ask me to save it for later."
- Mark Gurman tipped camera-equipped AirPods in May.
- macOS Tahoe 27.6 release candidate contains code references to unreleased products.
- Codenames V62, V63, V64, V67, V68 refer to iPhone Air 2, iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, iPhone 18, and iPhone Ultra.
- Apple's September event is expected to showcase new iPhones.
- Codenames J490 and B525 refer to Home Hub and HomePod Mini.
- Home Hub is rumored to have a seven-inch display and homeOS.
- The AirPods will notify users if the camera is covered.
- The camera-equipped AirPods will have an LED light to indicate data transmission to the cloud.
- Aaron Perris found the demo video in macOS 26.7 RC.
- B790 and B798 are on track for a 2027 release.
- Cameras are for environmental scanning to provide context for Siri and other AI tools.
- Cameras are not for taking photos or videos.
- B798 was initially scheduled for 2026 before being postponed to 2027.
- The camera sensor is referred to as the "Kino Sensor."
- Each AirPods Pro bud has its own camera.
- AccessorySensorMgrd framework controls image capture.
- The cameras take RGB still images up to 1 megapixel.
- Software rejects images impacted by excessive movement or occluded views.
- Some image processing happens on the earbuds, called "peripheral inference."
- Apple may announce AirPods 5 next month.
- AirPods 5 will include standard and active noise cancellation versions.
- The entry-level AirPods were last refreshed in 2024.
- Mark Gurman reported on AirPods 5.
- Apple's next event is expected on September 9.
- The September event may also feature a foldable iPhone and new Apple Watches.
- New Apple Watches will have minor changes, fitness tracking upgrades, and a ceramic-case option for Series 12.
- AirPods 5 are launching alongside iPhone 18 Pro, Apple Watch Ultra 4, and Series 12.
- AirPods 4 launched in 2024, AirPods 3 in 2021, AirPods 2 in 2019, and AirPods 1 in 2016.
- AirPods 4 are currently on sale for $99.
- AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation are currently on sale for $149.
- AirPods Pro 3 are currently on sale for $99.
- AirPods Max 2 are currently on sale for $479.
- Apple announced its first foldable, the iPhone Duo.
- Active Noise Cancellation is now on the AirPods 5.
- A Siri Recap feature comes to the Watch Series 12 and Watch Ultra 4.
Potential Early Release for Camera-Equipped AirPods
Apple is reportedly preparing to launch a version of camera-equipped AirPods, codenamed B790, potentially as soon as next month. This information is based on references found within iOS 27 code and Apple's internal roadmaps.
This B790 variant appears to be further along in development compared to another rumored version, B798, which was initially scheduled for 2026 but is now anticipated in 2027. Apple is known to develop competing versions of the same product internally.
Visual Intelligence and Health Features
The addition of cameras to AirPods could expand the device's health features, particularly in the area of vision. These cameras are expected to support visual intelligence capabilities, allowing users to ask Siri about their surroundings.
When combined with Apple's new AI-powered VoiceOver feature, which was unveiled earlier this year, the camera-equipped AirPods could offer significant benefits for blind and low-vision users. VoiceOver upgrades in iOS 27 are designed to be valuable for this demographic, and cameras on AirPods could enhance these capabilities.
Development Timeline
Apple has been working on camera-equipped AirPods with a focus on Visual Intelligence for some time. While the B798 variant was initially rumored for this year before being pushed back to 2027, the B790 variant now presents a possibility for an earlier debut.
Historically, Apple often debuts new AirPods during its September iPhone events, aligning with the potential launch timeframe for the B790 model.
Updates
- Apple announced its first foldable, the iPhone Duo.
- Active Noise Cancellation is now on the AirPods 5.
- A Siri Recap feature comes to the Watch Series 12 and Watch Ultra 4.
- AirPods 4 are currently on sale for $99.
- AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation are currently on sale for $149.
- AirPods Pro 3 are currently on sale for $99.
- AirPods Max 2 are currently on sale for $479.
- AirPods 5 are launching alongside iPhone 18 Pro, Apple Watch Ultra 4, and Series 12.
- AirPods 4 launched in 2024, AirPods 3 in 2021, AirPods 2 in 2019, and AirPods 1 in 2016.
- Apple may announce AirPods 5 next month.
- AirPods 5 will include standard and active noise cancellation versions.
- The entry-level AirPods were last refreshed in 2024.
- Mark Gurman reported on AirPods 5.
- Apple's next event is expected on September 9.
- The September event may also feature a foldable iPhone and new Apple Watches.
- New Apple Watches will have minor changes, fitness tracking upgrades, and a ceramic-case option for Series 12.
- The camera sensor is referred to as the "Kino Sensor."
- Each AirPods Pro bud has its own camera.
- AccessorySensorMgrd framework controls image capture.
- The cameras take RGB still images up to 1 megapixel.
- Software rejects images impacted by excessive movement or occluded views.
- Some image processing happens on the earbuds, called "peripheral inference."
- B790 and B798 are on track for a 2027 release.
- Cameras are for environmental scanning to provide context for Siri and other AI tools.
- Cameras are not for taking photos or videos.
- B798 was initially scheduled for 2026 before being postponed to 2027.
- Aaron Perris found the demo video in macOS 26.7 RC.
- The AirPods will notify users if the camera is covered.
- The camera-equipped AirPods will have an LED light to indicate data transmission to the cloud.
- macOS Tahoe 27.6 release candidate contains code references to unreleased products.
- Codenames V62, V63, V64, V67, V68 refer to iPhone Air 2, iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, iPhone 18, and iPhone Ultra.
- Apple's September event is expected to showcase new iPhones.
- Codenames J490 and B525 refer to Home Hub and HomePod Mini.
- Home Hub is rumored to have a seven-inch display and homeOS.
- The camera feeds low-resolution imagery to Siri.
- Siri's voiceover states: "With Visual Intelligence, your world becomes saveable. See something you like? Just ask me to save it for later."
- Mark Gurman tipped camera-equipped AirPods in May.
- A demo video of "Visual Intelligence" on camera-equipped AirPods was found in macOS Tahoe 26.7 Release Candidate.
- The demo video shows a man asking Siri to remember a book he is looking at.
- The AirPods in the video look similar to AirPods Pro, but with a thicker stem.
- MacRumors found references to B790 and "image stream" code in macOS 26.7 RC.
✨ This summary was generated by AI from the outlets' reporting listed below. It is not independently verified and may contain errors — check the original sources. How BrevFeed works →
The daily brief
One email each morning: the day's tech stories, clustered across outlets and summarized. No account needed.
One email a day. Unsubscribe in one click, any time.
Today's brief
Spend a few minutes, get the whole day. Every topic's top stories in one hands-free rundown — listen, watch, or read the transcript.
▶ Play today's brief
New every morning, and the back catalogue is archived by date.
How outlets covered it
Apple's rumored AirPods Pro with integrated cameras have reportedly been delayed until 2027. This delay is viewed positively by some due to significant privacy concerns associated with embedding cameras in ubiquitous personal devices like earbuds.
Apple's rumored AirPods with built-in cameras, intended to provide environmental context for Siri, have reportedly been delayed from 2026 to late 2027. Meanwhile, AirPods 5 are anticipated to be announced at an upcoming Apple event.
Apple is expected to launch AirPods 5 next week at its September 9 event, according to rumors and analyst Mark Gurman. The new AirPods will reportedly come in two models, one with Active Noise Cancellation and one without, and will not include cameras, which are anticipated for 2027.
Apple is expected to announce new AirPods 5 models, including both standard and active noise cancellation versions, as early as next month's iPhone event. This release would update Apple's entry-level earbuds, which were last refreshed in 2024.
New details from a macOS Tahoe 26.7 build reveal that Apple's forthcoming AirPods will feature cameras in each earbud, designed to capture 1-megapixel RGB still images. These images will be synchronized by Visual Intelligence software to support an upgraded Siri AI assistant, rather than for general photo or video recording.
A macOS 26.7 beta video and code references detail upcoming AirPods Pro with integrated cameras, including dual-camera functionality, capture modes, and privacy indicators. This information provides insight into Apple's potential expansion of AirPods capabilities beyond audio.
Apple's camera-equipped AirPods, codenamed B790 and B798, are reportedly on track for a 2027 release, despite a recent demo video leak in macOS 26.7 Release Candidate that suggested an earlier launch. The cameras are intended for environmental scanning to provide context for Siri and other AI tools, not for taking photos or videos.
Leaked footage and code from macOS 26.7 RC suggest Apple is developing AirPods with cameras, which are intended to provide visual input for an upgraded Siri AI rather than for recording photos or videos. This development indicates Apple's approach to integrating visual intelligence into its wearable devices, potentially impacting how users interact with digital assistants.
A video found in a macOS update suggests Apple is preparing to launch AirPods with an integrated camera. This device would allow users to interact with Siri using visual information from their surroundings, indicating Apple's move into real-world intelligence devices.
Apple's macOS Tahoe 27.6 release candidate contains code references to multiple unreleased products, including new iPhones, Home devices, headphones, and iPads. These references provide additional credibility to existing rumors about upcoming Apple hardware releases expected at the September event.
A video found in the macOS Tahoe 26.7 Release Candidate shows Apple's rumored camera-equipped AirPods in use, demonstrating a "Visual Intelligence" feature. This leak suggests the AirPods could integrate with Apple's AI features, potentially competing with other camera-equipped AI gadgets.
A video found in the macOS Tahoe 26.7 release candidate appears to show new Apple AirPods with an integrated camera and a "Visual Intelligence" feature for Siri. This leak suggests Apple is preparing to introduce AirPods capable of visual input, potentially expanding Siri's capabilities to interpret real-world objects.
A demo video showing "Visual Intelligence" in action on camera-equipped AirPods was discovered in the macOS Tahoe 26.7 Release Candidate. This leak suggests Apple may announce these new AirPods, codenamed B790, as early as next month, potentially integrating visual recognition capabilities into the earbuds.
Apple is rumored to be launching new AirPods with integrated cameras, potentially as early as next month, which could expand the device's health features to include vision assistance. This addition, combined with Apple's AI-powered VoiceOver, could offer significant benefits for blind and low-vision users, aligning with Apple's increasing focus on health technology.
Apple may release a version of camera-equipped AirPods, codenamed B790, as early as September, according to references found in iOS 27 code and internal roadmaps. This potential release precedes another rumored variant, B798, which is anticipated in 2027, indicating Apple's continued development in wearable camera technology.