Apple Watch May Soon Feature Built-In Camera for Advanced AI Capabilities
Apple is reportedly developing a built-in camera for the Apple Watch, which is consistent with previous rumours. Recent reports state that the smartwatch's AI features will be powered by this camera.
Ankush Pandey
Highlights
- Apple is creating a camera-equipped Apple Watch with AI capabilities.
- The Ultra Watch and standard Series models have different camera placements.
- Anticipated to launch in 2027
Mark Gurman's most recent newsletter, which was published in Bloomberg, claims that Apple is working on an Apple Watch with built-in cameras as part of its larger effort to incorporate artificial intelligence (AI) more thoroughly throughout its hardware. It appears that Apple is planning to release the Apple Watch in 2027.
Apple is actively looking into ways to incorporate cameras into both the rugged Ultra line and its standard Series models, according to Gurman. The camera on the standard Series might be integrated into the screen, like the iPhone's front-facing camera. A design that places the camera close to the side button and digital crown, however, is reportedly being tested by Apple for the Ultra model. This arrangement gives users more room and might make it simpler for them to aim the device for object scanning. Additionally, the two watches' thicknesses vary significantly to allow for various camera positions.
The addition of cameras would complement Apple Intelligence, which was introduced last October with iOS 18.1. Visual Intelligence is one of the tools in Apple Intelligence that uses your camera to recognise landmarks and objects in your surroundings and provide contextually relevant information. Apple could greatly enhance the functionality of these AI features by allowing the Apple Watch to "see" its surroundings, allowing users to engage with their surroundings in novel ways.
Apple has not responded to the report in an official manner.
The idea that the Apple Watch has a camera is not a novel one. Actually, back in 2015, one of the first rumours began to circulate regarding an Apple Watch with an integrated camera. It was thought that Apple was developing a camera integration for the watch's second generation at the time. That was obviously untrue, but a lot of the rumours fit in with Mark Gurman's most recent report. According to the 2015 report, the top bezel of the Apple Watch is expected to incorporate a FaceTime camera. Since AI on devices was still a pipe dream at the time, it was thought that video calls would be made and received using the camera.
Beyond the Apple Watch
There are rumours that Apple is also trying to extend its AI ecosystem to other gadgets. Apple is working on infrared camera-equipped AirPods, which could be released by 2026, according to a December report by Gurman. These sensors may enable features like environmental awareness and hand gesture recognition, especially when used in conjunction with gadgets like the Apple Vision Pro headset.
Apple is working to lessen dependency on third-party AI services like Google's AI models and OpenAI's ChatGPT, which includes the addition of AI hardware to the Apple Watch and AirPods. According to reports, the company intends to expand its proprietary AI tools, which it views as essential to the next generation of its devices, including its Visual Intelligence platform.
Gurman claims that Apple wants to incorporate visual intelligence into all of its products, making it a crucial component of upcoming Apple Watches, AirPods, and other gadgets. But a lot hinges on how Apple's AI division performs, as it is currently going through internal reorganisation after a recent change in leadership.
However, if all goes according to plan, the rumored Apple Watch with built-in camera and a camera-equipped AirPod are expected to be available by 2027.
