Apple Developing Three AI Wearables: AirTag-Sized Pendant, Smart Glasses, and New AirPods Features
At the end of last month, The Information reported that Apple is developing an AI-powered wearable device with a camera—an AirTag-sized pendant that can be pinned to a user's shirt. Now, Bloomberg reports that the development of three AI-equipped devices including this one, is accelerating. This is driven by competition with rival tech companies releasing similar products.
1. AI Pendant—AirTag-sized wearable with a camera
1-1. Design that pins to a shirt
The AI pendant reportedly being developed by Apple is about the size of an AirTag, features a camera, and is designed to be pinned to a user's shirt.
While specific details of its functions have not been revealed, the nature of a wearable device equipped with a camera suggests capabilities such as capturing or recording visual information, or real-time context awareness.
2. AI Smart Glasses "N50"—Aiming for a 2027 release, with production potentially starting in December 2026
2-1. Intensifying competition with Meta and Snap
Apple is also accelerating the development of AI-powered smart glasses, codenamed "N50" according to Bloomberg.
There are already competitors in this space. Meta (which has seen success with Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses) and Snap (which plans to release "Specs" in late 2026) are either deploying or preparing similar products.
2-2. High-resolution camera, targeting a 2027 public release
Apple's new smart glasses are expected to feature a high-resolution camera and Bloomberg reports that the company is "aiming for production to begin as early as December 2026, with a public release in 2027."
It is noteworthy that they are aiming for a relatively short time-to-market compared to traditional Apple product release cycles.
3. New AI features for AirPods—Expanding the existing product line
Bloomberg further reports that Apple is also moving forward with plans to add new AI features to AirPods.
AirPods already hold an important position in Apple's ecosystem, but the integration of AI features could enable enhanced collaboration with voice assistants, more advanced audio processing, real-time translation, and context awareness.
4. Integration with iPhone, with Siri at the core of the experience
4-1. All three products connect to iPhone
According to Bloomberg, all three of these devices are designed to connect to and operate with an iPhone with Apple's virtual assistant, Siri, serving as the core element of the user experience.
This aligns with Apple's traditional strategy of strengthening device connectivity within its ecosystem and using the iPhone as a hub.
4-2. Smart glasses positioned as a "premium model"
According to reports, the smart glasses are positioned as 'more premium and feature-rich than the AirPods or the AI pendant.' This suggests that the smart glasses will be positioned higher than the other two products in terms of price point and the quality of the experience provided.
Conclusion: Apple's AI hardware strategy is gaining momentum
TechCrunch reached out to Apple for additional information, but the company did not provide a comment.
What this report indicates is that Apple is accelerating its strategy to integrate AI not just at the software level, but at the hardware level as well. By incorporating AI features into three different forms of wearable devices—a pendant, smart glasses, and AirPods—the company aims to permeate every aspect of the user's life with AI.
With competitors like Meta and Snap leading the way, all eyes are on how Apple will differentiate itself and how its ecosystem, centered on Siri and the iPhone, will evolve as we look toward 2027.