Tech industry reports suggest Apple is developing a camera-equipped Apple Watch for release within the next two years that will be designed to incorporate advanced visual intelligence features driven by AI. Reliable sources indicate that the standard Apple Watch will feature an under-display camera, while the premium Ultra model may place its lens near the digital crown for enhanced functionality.
These camera systems are expected to enable breakthrough “ambient awareness” capabilities, allowing the wearable to analyze its surroundings and provide AI-driven contextual insights. The technology is reportedly similar to Apple’s rumored camera-enabled AirPods project, with both devices initially leveraging visual intelligence features that debuted on the iPhone 16. Early applications may include calendar integration and real-time restaurant information lookup from physical flyers.
Despite initially relying on third-party AI models, Apple is reportedly aiming to transition to a proprietary in-house system by 2027. The company’s AI ambitions now largely rest on Mike Rockwell’s leadership team, known for its work on Vision Pro and the ongoing development of visionOS. This software foundation could eventually power AR glasses prototypes similar to Meta’s Orion concept, though such devices are still years away from coming to market.
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