Apple’s new macOS update reportedly contains a video of AirPods with a camera
Apple appears to be preparing marketing materials for a rumoured pair of camera-equipped AirPods, after a leaked video was discovered hidden in the latest macOS beta update. Spotted by MacRumors within macOS 26.7 RC, the clip shows a man using Siri's "Visual Intelligence" feature to ask questions about a book he is holding, with a voiceover promising that "your world becomes savable". The find suggests Apple is further along in developing the device than previously known, and may signal a strategy of embedding real-world AI features into everyday accessories ahead of a future launch of its own smart glasses.
The camera reportedly lets the earbuds analyse objects in front of the wearer and answer questions, and code found by MacRumors suggests they will alert users if the camera lens is obstructed, for instance by hair. Bloomberg reported in May that Apple was in late-stage testing of AirPods resembling the AirPods Pro 3 but with a longer stem and an LED to show when data is being sent to the cloud, and had hoped to launch them in the first half of 2026; that timeline has apparently slipped, with the earbuds now expected to launch alongside the new Siri in September. Similar camera-based wearables already exist, including Ray-Ban Meta Glasses, the Looki pendant and Rokid's smart glasses.
- Leaked macOS video reveals camera-equipped AirPods using Visual Intelligence
- Camera reportedly identifies objects and answers questions via Siri
- Launch expected alongside new Siri update in September 2026
New here? Start with this
AirPods are Apple’s wireless earbuds, which connect to an iPhone and can be used to listen to audio or speak to Siri, Apple’s voice assistant. Visual Intelligence is an Apple feature that uses a device’s camera to interpret what it sees and answer questions about it.
Apple has been reported to be testing earbuds with cameras that could analyse objects in front of the wearer. Similar camera-based features are already available in products such as Meta’s Ray-Ban glasses. The idea matters because it could bring AI tools into everyday accessories, while raising questions about when a wearable camera is capturing or sending information.
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Proponents argue this represents legitimate technological progress that enhances user capabilities through visual search and artificial intelligence features already demonstrated in competing products like Ray-Ban Meta glasses. They contend that consumers make informed purchasing decisions and that transparent design features such as LED indicators and obstruction alerts demonstrate responsible implementation; the utility for accessibility, education and everyday problem-solving justifies the innovation.
The case against
Critics emphasise that embedding cameras in inconspicuous AirPods—unlike visibly worn glasses—creates genuine privacy risks for people around the wearer who may not realise they're being recorded or know what information is captured and transmitted. They argue that whilst individuals may consent to wearing the device, bystanders in public spaces cannot meaningfully consent to being filmed, raising serious questions about surveillance normalisation and the need for regulatory safeguards to protect public privacy.