The presence of a camera in portable headphones may seem like a strange idea. However, there are rumors that Apple is seriously considering the idea of \u200b\u200bequipping its AirPods with cameras..

According to MacRumors, Bloomberg journalist Mark Gurman, close to the company, spoke about this in his newsletter.. He only briefly mentioned the possibility of tiny cameras in AirPods in an episode discussing Apple's future wearables ambitions. At the same time, Gurman did not explain what the cameras would be used for..

Other rumors suggest that the tiny cameras won't be designed for taking photos or videos.. They will serve as infrared sensors. In a June 2024 blog, Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said Apple plans to mass produce new AirPods with infrared cameras by 2026.

He said that the component of the infrared chamber will look like a Face ID receiver in iPhone.

New AirPods with infrared cameras will provide improved spatial audio with Apple's Vision Pro headset, Kuo says. "

Infrared cameras can also provide gesture control in the air, allowing you to interact with a device using hand movements. If the deadlines indicated in rumors are not false and Apple does not come out of the declared schedule, new AirPods with infrared cameras can be launched already in 2026 or 2027.