Apple accelerating work on three new AI wearables, per report

Chance Miller | Feb 17 2026 - 10:10 am PT

Ray-Ban Meta glasses | #believe in an Apple Glasses future

According to a new report from Bloomberg, Apple is “accelerating” its development of three new wearable products, including smart glasses, an AI pendant, and camera-equipped AirPods.

These products, the report says, are being “built around the Siri digital assistant.”

AI pin, glasses, and AirPods with cameras

The smart glasses will reportedly feature a high-resolution camera for photo and video capture, designed to compete with Meta’s smart glasses. Apple has reportedly made “significant progress” on these glasses in recent months. The glasses won’t include a display, but rather will rely on speakers, microphones, and cameras.

Apple’s prototypes have two camera lenses. There’s one for high-resolution images and videos, and another for “computer vision” that will “give the device environmental context.” With environmental context, for example, the glasses could mirror functionality offered by Visual Intelligence on the iPhone.

That context could also be used for more precise navigation in Apple Maps, Reminders integration, and more. “The goal is for the glasses to function as an all-day AI companion, capable of understanding what a user is seeing and doing in real time,” the report says.

Apple is reportedly developing its own frames for the glasses in a range of different sizes and colors. It explored partnerships with other companies, but ultimately decided to design everything in house.

Mark Gurman reports:

Early prototypes of the glasses connect via a cable to a standalone battery pack and an iPhone, but newer versions have the components embedded in the frame. The design uses high-end materials, including acrylic elements intended to give the glasses a premium feel. Apple is already discussing launching the device in additional styles over time.

Apple is also working on an AI pendant device. The Information reported on Apple’s AI-powered, AirTag-size wearable pin last month, describing it as a “thin, flat, circular disc with an aluminum-and-glass shell” with two cameras, a speaker, and three microphones.

Bloomberg today adds to that reporting, saying the device is “reminiscent of the failed Humane AI pin,” but with several key differences. For instance, it will not have a display or projector system. Whereas the Humane AI Pin tried to be a standalone product, Apple’s AI pin will reportedly “rely heavily on an iPhone for processing.”

The pendant would essentially serve as an always-on camera for the smartphone that also includes a microphone for Siri input. Some Apple employees call it the “eyes and ears” of the phone.

One area of debate for the product has been whether or not to include a speaker, which would allow users to hold back-and-forth conversations with the device directly. That means they could leave their iPhone in their pocket or bag or not wear AirPods.

Apple envisions that users will wear the AI pin with a clip attached to their clothing or as a necklace. Gurman cautions that the product “remains early-stage and could still be canceled,” but could launch as early as next year if Apple sticks to it.

Finally, Apple is continuing its work on camera-equipped AirPods that could launch as early as this year.

9to5Mac’s Take

I’m glad Apple is ramping up its work on these products, particularly the Meta Ray-Ban-style smart glasses. I think this is a very fun form factor, just for photo and video capture alone — and Apple excels at camera technology in general. Sprinkle in some basic AI interactivity and contextual awareness and I could see these glasses being very useful.

The AI pendant I’m less convinced of as a product category. My opinion might change after seeing Apple demonstrate some real-world use cases for this, but right now my instinct is still that it feels like a solution in search of a problem.

Of course, all of this hinges on next-generation Siri, which continues to face delays. Ideally, we don’t end up in another situation where the hardware is ready and waiting on the software. Unfortunately, I’m not convinced of that just yet.

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