Apple appears to be preparing launch materials for camera-equipped AirPods that can use visual information to answer questions about objects around the wearer. A video found in the macOS 26.7 release candidate shows a man holding up a book and asking Siri about it, suggesting Apple plans to connect the earbuds with its Visual Intelligence features.
The video was spotted by MacRumors in macOS 26.7 RC. Its voiceover says users will be able to ask Siri to save things they see for later through Visual Intelligence.
Camera Could Help Siri Understand Nearby Objects
According to MacRumors, the upcoming AirPods include a camera that can examine objects in front of the user and provide information about them. The publication also found code suggesting the device could warn users when hair or another object blocks the camera.
The design is expected to resemble AirPods Pro 3 but with a longer stem, according to a Bloomberg report from May. Bloomberg also reported that the earbuds would include an LED indicator when data is being sent to the cloud.
Apple had reached an advanced stage of testing the product by May. The company had previously aimed to release the camera-equipped AirPods in the first half of 2026, according to Bloomberg.
Apple Could Launch the AirPods Alongside New Siri Updates
That timing appears to have shifted as Apple prepares to ship its updated Siri in September. Bloomberg reported that the company is now expected to launch the earbuds alongside upcoming operating system updates.
The device would place Apple in a category already occupied by products that use cameras and AI to interpret a user’s surroundings. Examples include Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses, the Looki pendant, and Rokid AI glasses.
The camera-equipped AirPods could also give Apple another way to bring visual AI features into a wearable device before releasing its own smart glasses. Apple has not publicly announced the product or confirmed a launch date.
More details could emerge through future software updates as the company prepares its next round of operating system releases and the new Siri rollout.
Featured image credits: Freerange Stock
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