If you were into tech or were a Samsung fan back in the early 2010s, you will most probably remember Samsung’s first few smartwatches that came with camera modules which allowed users to capture photos or videos on the go without needing to whip out their smartphones. Now, it seems like Apple is also working on camera-quipped Apple Watches, although for a different purpose, according to a report by Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman.
Future Apple Watches to feature cameras for Visual Intelligence?
That’s right, rather than for photo and video taking, Apple is equipping its future Apple Watch models to work with its Visual Intelligence instead. For those of you who are unfamiliar, Apple’s Visual Intelligence feature was first launched on the iPhone 16 series and can be launched on those devices via a long press of the Camera Control button.
You will then be able to just point the phone’s camera at any objects, text, stores, and restaurants you want to know about, and Visual Intelligence will help analyse them using AI with the help of ChatGPT or Google Search, providing you with instant details like translations, business info, or object recognition.
With a camera on your Apple Watch, you won’t need to whip out your iPhone just to use the object detection and recognition feature. You simply need to point your watch’s camera at the object you want to know about and voilà, you get all of the information you need on your wrist.
Gurman’s report states that Apple is planning to feature cameras on its future Apple Watch Series and Ultra lineup of watches. The camera module is most likely to be integrated inside the screen on the Series watches, while the Ultra will have it on its side, neighbouring the digital crown and side button thanks to having more real estate to work with. Again, these are just rumours at this point, as there’s a chance of Apple changing its decisions moving forward.
Apple also working on camera-equipped AirPods?
Looks like the Apple Watch isn’t alone in receiving camera modules in the future, as another report from Gurman also mentioned Apple’s plans to do the same for its future AirPods model(s).
The purpose of incorporating the camera module is also similar here—Visual Intelligence. Without needing to raise your hands or hold onto a device, you can simply look at whatever you want to know more about, and your AirPods through its cameras will deliver the information to you via audio.
Don’t get too hyped up for these devices just yet, as they aren’t exactly market-ready at the moment of writing. Gurman is expecting them to come no earlier than 2027.
