Apple plans camera-equipped AirPods 20th-anniversary iPhone

Apple is preparing a trio of major product launches for late 2027, according to a new report, with plans that include camera-equipped AirPods, a second-generation foldable iPhone, and a special 20th-anniversary iPhone model. This would mark one of the company's most significant annual product rollouts, coinciding with the iPhone's 20th anniversary and the first full year under incoming CEO John Ternus.

The most novel product is a new version of AirPods designed to integrate with Apple's AI systems. These earbuds are expected to feature tiny cameras or visual sensors embedded in their stems. The cameras are not intended for photography but to feed a constant stream of visual information about the wearer's surroundings to Siri. This would enable the assistant to answer questions about nearby objects, offer contextual reminders, and provide more detailed, step-by-step walking directions. To address privacy concerns, the design reportedly includes an external light indicator that activates when visual data is being streamed.

The report indicates the AirPods project has reached an advanced stage of development, having progressed to design validation testing. However, the launch...