Apple CEO Tim Cook has been dropping hints about a potential third major product category: AI-powered wearables centered on Visual Intelligence, Apple’s AI technology that analyzes the surrounding environment via cameras and uses that context to enable intelligent actions.
Introduced on the iPhone 16 Pro in 2024 under the Apple Intelligence umbrella, Visual Intelligence currently allows users to photograph or screenshot something and query it (via ChatGPT integration) or perform a Google reverse image search for identification. According to Bloomberg News‘ Mark Gurman, Apple is now developing its own advanced visual models to make this core to upcoming devices, including enhanced AirPods with cameras, smart glasses, and a wearable pendant (equipped with computer vision sensors for always-on environmental awareness).
Mark Gurman for Bloomberg News:
As for what these cameras will enable, the most basic applications could involve taking a plate of food and identifying the items and ingredients. More advanced uses include the device giving specific instructions for conducting a task based on what it sees. That might mean upgraded turn-by-turn directions, with the device telling a user to go past a specific landmark — rather than just a certain number of feet. The technology also could remind users to do something when they walk up to a certain object or place.
Cook gave an early hint at his interest in the technology on the company’s holiday quarter earnings call. During a discussion about AI and Apple Intelligence, he singled out Visual Intelligence.
“One of our most popular features is Visual Intelligence, which helps users learn and do more than ever with the content on their iPhone screen, making it faster to search, take action and answer questions across their apps,” he said.
In a recent all-hands meeting with employees, Cook said that Apple “unquestionably” has a “huge advantage” in the AI space, touting the company’s installed base of 2.5 billion. He mentioned Apple Intelligence again and gave a shoutout to one specific feature. You guessed it: Visual Intelligence.
This was no accident. To date, Apple has done little in visual AI other than create a wrapper for OpenAI and Google technologies. Yet Cook is touting this capability as central to Apple’s AI strategy. He wouldn’t be putting it at the forefront of his remarks if things weren’t going to accelerate in that area soon.
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I wonder how much a bifocal one will cost?