Apple reportedly nixes camera-equipped Apple Watch it planned to release in 2027
Apple has allegedly cancelled work on camera-equipped Apple Watch and Apple Watch Ultra models that it originally planned to bring to market in 2027.
Apple was rumored to release smartwatches in 2027 featuring built-in cameras that would analyze the user’s surroundings for the Apple Intelligence features such as visual intelligence, but the project has been reportedly nixed.
Mark Gurman, who originally called for a camera-equipped Apple Watch as part of Apple’s product renaissance in 2027, now claims the project has been shelved in a new report on Bloomberg. Just two weeks ago, he reported that Apple recently kicked off development of custom chips that will power future devices, including custom silicon codenamed “Glenni” for a camera-equipped Apple Watch.
Apple nixes a camera-equipped Apple Watch
Gurman previously said that a camera-equipped Apple Watch would not permit the user to take photographs or FaceTime people. Instead, it would be strictly used for AI purposes, so you could receive insights and other information about objects and places around and near you.
For example, pointing a wearable camera at a restaurant menu or store would offer language translation or object description, similar to the visual intelligence feature of Apple Intelligence available on the iPhone 16 lineup.
Gurman claims that Apple hasn’t given up on future AirPods with tiny infrared cameras in the earbuds for AI features, in-air gestures and better spatial audio.
Apple is jumping on the AI hardware bandwagon
As for a camera-enabled Apple Watch, there are specialized accessories like custom bands with built-in cameras, like the Wristcam (pictured top of post), but there doesn’t seem to be viable uses cases for a camera on a smartwatch.
AI-powered devices like Humane’s discontinued AI Pin have not been successful, but there’s an emerging trend to build AI-first devices, and Apple wants a piece of the action. But Apple is facing intense comptition, including from its former design chief Jony Ive who has joined forces with OpenAI to bring their first hardware product to market sometime in 2026, with a family of AI devices planned for the future.
Apple glasses are coming at the end of 2026
Gurman’s report also claims that Apple has decided to launch its first digital smart glasses at the end of 2026, which will feature onboard cameras, microphones and speakers. The product will reportedly be able to analyze the external world and take requests via Siri.
“Company engineers are ramping up work on the glasses in a bid to meet the year-end 2026 target,” reads the report. “Apple will start producing large quantities of prototypes at the end of this year with overseas suppliers,” it continues.
“The glasses were originally dubbed N50 internally but now carry the umbrella descriptor N401 — the name of a broader project exploring the category,” Gurman has it. True augmented reality glasses that could function as a standalone device “remain years away,” he said.
Source link: https://www.idownloadblog.com/2025/05/22/apple-nixes-apple-watch-with-camera-rumor/
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