Apple is developing three AI devices to usher in AI competition

Apple is preparing for a major leap in the AI devices competition by developing three wearable gadgets that turn everyday utilities into smarter interactions. Smart glasses, a compact pendant, and upgraded AirPods with cameras work together to feed real-world context straight to Siri.

Users will get voice assistance, whether spotting something nearby or handling quick tasks, all while keeping phones tucked away. This lineup lets Apple explore ambient computing across different price points and use cases, where devices stay close. It positions the company to compete more directly as rivals roll out their own always-on assistants.

The glasses are expected to be stylish and lightweight, with choices in sizes and colors for comfortable all-day wear. No screens appear in the design; instead, high-resolution cameras and sensors scan scenes, measure distances, and grasp what happens around you.

Spoken guidance flows through built-in speakers and mics, so someone might hear an object identified, text turned into a quick note, or directions based on visible landmarks. The system links to the iPhone for on-device compute.

A pendant, about the size of a small tag, you clip it to clothes or wear it like jewelry. Its basic camera and microphone send live visuals and sound to the phone, where AI turns that input into helpful responses. Siri can describe a scene or finish hands-free jobs without extra effort. It runs efficiently on low power and leans on the paired device for complex work, so development stays on track in its early phase.

AirPods are rumored to gain camera tech for better spatial awareness. They will skip high-detail photos but supply enough data to help the AI understand positions and movement. This fits with features like instant translation already in play and could reach users ahead of the others.

Talk about these projects picked up speed last year with early mentions of eyewear plans and earbud vision ideas, plus shifts in focus away from some other concepts. As of mid-February 2026, prototypes advance more quickly than expected, especially on the glasses, with more testing and a likely path toward production late this year for a 2027 debut.

Online chatter highlights how the three-track plan covers broad needs while stressing careful data handling with constant sensing.

With these planned releases, Apple is aiming to strengthen its AI position in a robust hardware segment. However, the iPhone maker hasn’t shared any plans for these releases.

(source)