Future AirPods Could Come with Cameras

The next generation of AirPods could come with cameras for spatial audio and gesture control

AirPods with cameras

The next generation of AirPods could come with cameras.

Word on the street is that Apple is cooking up something seriously cool for their future AirPods: infrared (IR) cameras. Now, I know what you’re thinking—cameras in your earbuds? What’s the deal? Well, let me break it down, because it’s likely not what you expect it to be.

These nifty little IR cameras could be a game-changer for how we interact with our AirPods. Imagine being able to control your music playback with simple head gestures. No more fumbling for your phone or tapping your earbuds—just a quick nod or shake of your head, and voila! You’re skipping tracks like a DJ at a silent disco.

Ultimately, this also means that AirPods can be paired with a Vision Pro headset to create a spatial audio experience that changes as you move your head.

But wait, there’s more! These cameras might also be able to detect when you’re talking, automatically lowering the volume or pausing your tunes. As someone who’s constantly popping out an AirPod to chat with baristas or fellow New Yorkers on the subway, this feature sounds like a dream come true.

Now, before you start camping outside your local Apple Store, I’ve got to burst your bubble a little. According to the tech crystal ball gazers, or rather, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, we probably won’t see these fancy new AirPods until 2026 at the earliest. I know, I know—it feels like an eternity in tech years!

But hey, good things come to those who wait, right? And if Apple’s track record is anything to go by, these new AirPods will be worth the wait. In the meantime, you can pick up an affordable pair of Beats Solo Buds from Apple that sound great and are extremely comfortable.

Source: TechRadar