Apple Accelerates Development of Three New AI Wearables

Apple is intensifying its efforts to capture the AI hardware market, shifting focus toward three distinct wearable devices. The company is accelerating development on a camera-equipped pendant, a pair of AI-driven smart glasses, and an upgraded version of its popular AirPods, according to recent reports.

The push comes as the technology giant seeks to maintain its competitive edge against rivals like Meta and Snap, both of which are aggressively expanding their own wearable portfolios. While Meta has found significant traction with its smart glasses, and Snap prepares for a new release of its “Specs,” Apple is positioning its upcoming suite of devices to integrate deeply with the existing iPhone ecosystem.

A New Wave of AI Hardware

Central to this strategy is the development of a wearable pendant. Originally described as an AirTag-sized device with built-in cameras, the accessory is designed to be pinned to clothing, serving as a hands-free interface for artificial intelligence features.

Complementing this is the development of smart glasses, internally referred to as N50. These are expected to be the most advanced of the three projects. Industry reports suggest the following timeline and features for the hardware:

• Smart Glasses (N50): Feature-rich and positioned as an upscale product, these will include a high-resolution camera. Production is reportedly being targeted for as early as December, with a potential public launch in 2027.
• AI AirPods: The company is also working on integrating new intelligence capabilities into its audio lineup.
• Unified Ecosystem: All three devices will rely on Siri as a primary interface, leveraging the virtual assistant to process tasks directly through the user’s iPhone.

While the pendant and AirPods are expected to provide specialized functionality, the smart glasses are being prioritized as the most significant entry in Apple’s upcoming hardware lineup. The company has not provided official comments regarding the specific development status of these products.