Apple is reportedly developing a wearable AI pin, a small device equipped with multiple cameras, a speaker, microphones, and wireless charging capabilities. According to The Facts, the device could pair with the long-awaited AI-powered Siri update, which is also expected to function as a chatbot.
The move feels… baffling, to say the least.Apple, traditionally a cautious entrant into new tech categories, appears to be reacting to the buzz surrounding OpenAI’s unreleased AI pin, despite OpenAI’s lack of hardware experience. It’s a curious shift for a company that often prioritizes polished, thoughtful solutions over chasing the latest hype, especially considering the recent, notorious failure of Humane’s AI pin.
A Response to Mounting Pressure?
Apple’s potential foray into AI pins arrives after a delay in its Siri revamp and a somewhat underwhelming debut of Apple Intelligence. The company also faces competition from Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses, which heavily leverage the company’s AI capabilities, and the looming possibility of new AI hardware from other competitors.
The addition of heart rate tracking to the AirPods Pro 3 demonstrates Apple’s continued innovation within its existing audio products. Pros, potentially enabling hand gestures and environmental awareness for Apple Intelligence.
At best, an Apple AI pin might offer a hands-free siri experience for those who don’t want to use other devices. However, those other devices-like Meta’s Ray-Bans and future smart glasses-offer additional functionality beyond voice assistance, such as music playback and, crucially, functioning as actual eyewear.
Privacy Concerns and Public Perception
Beyond functionality, privacy concerns loom large. Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses have already faced backlash and even bans on some cruise ships and in certain venues.Wired’s Julian Chokkattu was questioned while testing the Humane AI Pin,and others have experienced similar scrutiny while using Xreal’s smart glasses. The always-on nature of a camera-equipped AI pin raises legitimate questions about surveillance and data collection.
Apple’s decision to reportedly nix plans for a camera-equipped Apple Watch, while together exploring an AI pin, is particularly puzzling. Bloomberg suggests Apple is now prioritizing its own smart glasses, slated for release in 2026. Faster hardware could potentially allow the Apple Watch to handle more AI-related tasks independently.
This pursuit of an AI pin comes as Apple increasingly relies on external partners for its AI ambitions. The company is banking on Google’s Gemini to power Siri’s AI upgrade and its future foundation models,a move seemingly driven by a desire to avoid falling behind and to potentially mitigate further stock declines.
It’s a strange turn for a company that allowed competitors to gain a multi-year lead in foldable smartphones and remains hesitant to enter the smart ring market. The fast-tracking of an AI pin for 2027 feels like a symptom of the broader AI hype cycle, warping priorities across the tech industry.Though,unlike openai,Apple’s overall success isn’t solely dependent on the success of standalone AI hardware.
