AirPods With Infrared Cameras in Development, Analyst Says

A new report from Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo predicts the tech giant is planning to put infrared cameras into its popular AirPods products and mass produce them by 2026. The IR cameras could be used in multiple ways, the report details: they could be used for in-air hand gesture detection, work with devices like the Apple Vision Pro to enhance spatial audio or detect environmental changes for software including the new Apple Intelligence.

With IR cameras, AirPods may be able to detect movement, such as when a wearer moves their hand, to control audio volume or perform tasks like changing music tracks. Foxconn would supply the cameras, according to the analyst.

For integration with the Apple Vision Pro, Apple may use the cameras to adjust audio when a user moves their head while watching a video or emphasize audio in parts of a physical space. 

These new AirPods may also work with other wearables such as the Apple Watch or future products that Apple is reportedly working on, including smart glasses.

The report from Kuo bolsters a previous piece of analysis from Mark Gurman at Reuters that predicted similar uses for AirPods with cameras in them. Apple has dominated the wireless audio market with its AirPods, but its market share has slipped from more than 48% in 2019 to about 21% last year, according to Statista.

Discover These Hidden AirPods Features and Boost Your Listening Experience